President Donald Trump made it clear Monday that if the United States is expected to safeguard one of the world's most critical shipping lanes, American taxpayers should not be forced to carry the burden alone.

Speaking during a phone interview on Fox News' Fox & Friends, Trump said the U.S. would likely take control of the Strait of Hormuz and serve as its protector, arguing that America deserves compensation for securing a waterway that keeps the global economy moving.

"We're going to keep the strait, and we'll probably run it. We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the guardian angel of the strait. And we should be reimbursed for that," Trump said.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints, serving as a gateway for a significant share of global oil shipments. Any disruption there quickly ripples through energy markets, raising fuel costs and fueling inflation far beyond the Middle East.

That reality has become increasingly urgent as Iran's effective blockade of the strait has intensified pressure on global energy supplies. The disruption has driven oil prices higher and renewed fears of inflation, reminding the world just how vulnerable international commerce becomes when hostile regimes threaten critical trade routes.

Trump's comments reflect a straightforward America First principle: if the United States is expected to provide the military strength and strategic leadership that protects global commerce, America's allies and beneficiaries should help pay the bill. For decades, Washington has shouldered enormous security costs while many other nations have benefited from stable shipping lanes and protected markets.

The stakes extend well beyond energy prices. A secure Strait of Hormuz affects supply chains, economic stability, and the broader balance of power in one of the world's most volatile regions. Preventing hostile actors from controlling that gateway remains a major national security priority for the United States and its allies.

As tensions continue to shape the future of the Middle East, Trump's message was unmistakable: American leadership should never come at the expense of American taxpayers. If the United States is expected to keep one of the world's most important waterways open, then the nations that depend on that protection should help bear the cost. That is the kind of accountability that defines an America First foreign policy.