US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Australia for what he called a failure to respond when "asked" to participate in operations relating to the Strait of Hormuz (the narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula through which a significant share of global oil passes), telling reporters outside the White House that he was "not happy" with Canberra. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles pushed back, stating that no "specific request" regarding the strait had been received, though he confirmed Australia is engaged in planning conversations with the US, UK, and France and intends to contribute when circumstances allow. The dispute comes as world leaders gathered in Paris to discuss the strait's future, and as Australia announced an additional A$53 billion in defence spending over the next decade — still well short of the 3.5% of GDP Trump has demanded from US allies.