Angelo Guiliano writes:
US Empire Tests Global Tribute System in Hormuz – Blueprint for China’s Chokepoints
The circus in the Strait of Hormuz isn’t about Iran.
It’s a live dress rehearsal for what Washington plans against China.
Trump’s “Guardian of Hormuz” with its talk of 20% fees, blockades, “protection” rackets and coalition gunboats shaking down tankers is textbook imperialism.
They’re testing how far they can push a modern naval tribute system: pay up, align with us, or your oil doesn’t move.
China routes millions of barrels daily through Hormuz.
But the real target is scaling this model to the Malacca Strait and every chokepoint around China >> where the US already has allies, bases, surveillance networks and infrastructure in place, ready to enforce tolls and blockades far more effectively than in Hormuz.
Washington isn’t fully set up for sustained control in the Gulf, yet they’re using it as a low-risk testing ground.
Success here tests the concept for the Pacific, where their positioning is much stronger.
This is exactly how declining hegemons operate: strangle the rising power’s lifelines before it becomes unstoppable.
China sees this clearly and continues building pipelines, overland routes, alliances and naval capacity to break any noose.
Reject the US tribute system. Defend sovereignty.
Hormuz today.
Malacca and the Pacific tomorrow.
The Empire is showing its hand.
