‘Go get your own oil’: Trump tells UK to ‘fight for yourself’ as fuel crisis deepens
US President Donald Trump has told British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to stop looking to the United States for help with the UK’s mounting fuel crisis and to secure its own oil supplies from the troubled Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s post reads as follows:
All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT. You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT
The message comes as the UK faces potential shortages of jet fuel and diesel, with the last major shipments threatened by ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz – a critical chokepoint for global oil flows that has been at the centre of tensions following U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran.
Trump’s post appeared to mock Britain’s hesitation, suggesting Starmer’s government could either “buy from the US” at market prices or “build up some delayed courage” and actively help clear the strait to access tankers directly.
The tone underscores deepening transatlantic friction, with Trump framing the UK’s limited support during recent operations against Iran as a reason Washington is no longer willing to carry the burden.
A fractured alliance
The exchange fits a pattern of public rebukes from Trump toward Starmer in recent weeks. Earlier posts criticised the UK for offering military assets, such as aircraft carriers, only after what Trump called the “hard part” of confronting Iran had already been handled by U.S. forces.
“We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won!” Trump had posted in one prior Truth Social message.
British officials have stated that the UK will not be drawn into a wider regional conflict, even as Starmer has voiced support for reopening the strait through diplomatic and multilateral efforts.
UK ministers have been meeting with energy suppliers and business leaders to prepare contingency plans for higher fuel costs and potential shortages, with oil prices recently spiking above $110 per barrel amid the uncertainty.
For the UK, which imports a significant portion of its energy and relies on stable global shipping lanes, the disruptions pose risks to both military operations and civilian supply chains. Households and airlines could face higher costs in the coming months if the situation persists.
Trump’s comments align with his long-standing “America First” doctrine, highlighting that the US, now the world’s top oil producer, benefits from higher global prices while expecting allies to contribute more to shared security challenges.
The rhetoric could further strain NATO relations at a time when energy security is intertwined with geopolitical stability in the Middle East. Some observers see Trump’s approach as leverage to push allies toward greater burden-sharing, while others worry it risks isolating the US from traditional partners.
