The Papers: Trump tells UK 'go get your own oil' and 'King sent to US'

With European gas prices more than 70% above their pre-war levels and Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz entering its second month, Donald Trump turned his fire on America's closest allies Tuesday, telling Britain and others to "go get your own oil."

Posting on Truth Social on March 31, Trump singled out the UK and France by name, writing that countries unable to secure jet fuel because of the Hormuz closure should "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT." He warned that "the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," and accused Paris of blocking American military supply planes loaded with weapons for Israel from crossing French airspace, a decision he called "VERY UNHELPFUL." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amplified the message at a press briefing later that day, telling allied nations they "might want to start learning how to fight for yourself."

The remarks landed against a backdrop of serious economic pressure across Europe. Since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in late February 2026, a Kuwaiti oil tanker has been struck in the anchorage area of Dubai's port, and the EU's energy chief called an emergency bloc-wide meeting, telling member governments to prepare for prolonged market disruption.

Britain's position is particularly fraught. Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially refused Trump's request to allow US aircraft to use British military bases for offensive operations, a decision Starmer understood to be illegal. He later joined the defence against Iran's retaliatory strikes after British assets in the region came under attack. That qualified participation satisfied neither Washington nor Westminster. Trump on March 3 told reporters "This is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with," and on Monday described Britain as no longer "the Rolls-Royce of allies." When London and other governments hesitated over sending warships to de-mine the Strait, Trump called their reluctance "terrible."

Adding a distinct diplomatic wrinkle to the row, Buckingham Palace confirmed Tuesday that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to Washington for a state visit from April 27 to 30, timed to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Trump posted on Truth Social: "I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!"

The announcement immediately split opinion at home. Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrats leader, accused Starmer of showing "a staggering lack of backbone" by allowing the visit to proceed while Trump was publicly humiliating Britain. Labour MP Emily Thornberry warned that "the last thing that we want to do is have His Majesty… embarrassed." Even Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader and persistent Starmer critic, broke ranks to defend the prime minister, saying: "I'm Keir Starmer's biggest critic. He's done a lot of things wrong." Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK initially backed UK involvement alongside the US and Israel, reversed course as the war grew unpopular at home, declaring Britain should not get involved "in another foreign war."

The King's visit was long in the making. The groundwork was laid in February 2025, when Starmer rushed to Washington just five weeks into Trump's second term, personally hand-delivering a letter from Charles inviting the president for a state visit. It was the first time any world leader had offered a second such invitation, and the first time one arrived by personal royal letter. Trump displayed it for TV cameras. That visit took place in September 2025 and was viewed in London as the cornerstone of efforts to protect the special relationship. Whether the April trip preserves it or exposes its limits may depend on what happens in the Strait of Hormuz before the King arrives.