UK Foreign Secretary urges US to reopen Strait of Hormuz to ease living costs

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has called on the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing its importance for easing cost-of-living pressures on British families. Miliband made this plea ahead of his first official one-to-one meeting with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, in Washington.

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The government is committed to nurturing our strong, enduring and essential alliance with the US.

The two leaders are also set to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and address the "dire humanitarian situation in Gaza." Miliband's visit follows an invitation from Rubio after a previous meeting on the sidelines of a foreign ministers' summit in the Philippines.

The White House reportedly harbors concerns about Prime Minister Andy Burnham's appointment of Miliband, given Miliband's past strong criticisms of former US President Donald Trump. These criticisms, which labeled Trump as a racist and misogynist, contrast with Trump's policies on energy, particularly his support for fossil fuels and opposition to wind farms, an area Miliband championed as UK energy secretary.

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I am greatly looking forward to my second meeting with secretary of state Marco Rubio, in which we will discuss the ongoing work to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, which is essential to ease cost-of-living pressures on British families.

Despite these potential tensions, Miliband expressed commitment to nurturing the alliance with the US. He stated, "The government is committed to nurturing our strong, enduring and essential alliance with the US." He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that its disruption has driven up fuel and food prices. Miliband will also take the UK's seat on the World Bank board, meeting its president to discuss development, climate change, and global resilience.

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We will also discuss how we can continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine against Russia's war – as well as the importance of addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and working towards a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.