While speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump said France and President Emmanuel Macron are an "eight" out of 10 on their participation in backing his push for an international coalition to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the comment as Washington scrambles to win support for a naval escort mission in one of the world's most important energy chokepoints. The comments came as Trump intensified pressure on allies and major oil importers to help reopen or secure transit through the narrow waterway after Iranian attacks, mines, and military escalation sharply disrupted shipping in retaliation for the airstrikes launched by the U.S. and Israel.
