US Plans Strait of Hormuz Toll Sparks Outrage with Brazil

US President Donald Trump is preparing to impose a 20 percent toll on cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. His plan has angered Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula has called Trump's move a "robbery." In fact, Trump declared that the United States will act as a "protector of the Strait of Hormuz." Lula took a jibe at Trump's announcement, saying, "In the old days, this thing was called robbery." The Brazilian president said that the United States has no right to demand money for transportation through an international waterway. Lula's plan to take control of Hormuz and collect taxes from ships passing through it has not gone down well with Lula. He has strongly admonished the United States, citing international rules. President Lula said, "America is a big country and Washington is now a pirate."