U.S. deserves allies in Europe and Asia who are "loyal," Hegseth says

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Friday that the "free ride" is over for American allies he said were benefiting from U.S. actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

"This should not be America's fight alone. We barely use the Strait of Hormuz as a country. Our energy doesn't flow through there, and we have plenty of energy," Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon. "Europe and Asia have benefited from our protection for decades, but the time for free riding is over."

About 7% of U.S. crude oil and condensate imports and 2% of U.S. petroleum liquids consumption came through the Strait of Hormuz in the first half of 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

Due to all petroleum products being traded on international markets, however, prices at the pump have soared for Americans since the war began, and inflation was up sharply last month due to the war's impact on the flow of oil and gas through the strait.

"America and the free world deserve allies who are capable, who are loyal, and who understand that being an ally is not a one-way street. It's a two-way street," Hegseth said, looking directly into the camera. "We are not counting on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz much more than we do and might want to start doing less talking and having less fancy conferences in Europe and getting on a boat. This is much more their fight than ours."