UN chief calls for cooperation on maritime shipping mechanism

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for engagement and cooperation of relevant parties for a confidence-building mechanism that aims to safeguard the movement of essential goods through maritime choke points.

Guterres said a task force he established in March for the Strait of Hormuz crisis has worked to develop "a practical and time-bound confidence-building mechanism focused initially on fertilizers and related raw materials -- but with the ability to be extended to other products."

"Navigational rights and freedoms are not abstract principles, they are international law. Those rights and freedoms are vital for international peace and security and for the flow of food, energy and essential goods on which billions of lives depend. The mechanism would not authorize passage through the State of Hormuz or alter the rights or obligations of any Member State and their international law. Sovereign decisions remain entirely with participating Member States. United Nations would serve as a neutral facilitator and the purpose is simple to reduce immediate risks, support more orderly and predictable transit, and help rebuild the confidence necessary for diplomacy and de-escalation," he stated at a press briefing.

The mechanism can be operationalized quickly as international support for this effort has been encouraging, particularly from vulnerable countries that understand what is at stake when maritime lifelines are disrupted, he said. "What is needed now is the cooperation and political will of the parties. I urge all concerned to engage seriously and constructively."

Guterres cautioned that the mechanism is not a substitute for fully restoring navigational rights and freedoms, or for the political solutions needed to end these conflicts. But it is a practical first step. A demonstration that, even amid conflict, it is possible to reduce risks, protect civilians and safeguard the movement of essential goods, said Guterres.

"The alternative is continued disruption, deeper mistrust and mounting hardship for people far beyond the regions directly affected," he warned.

Guterres called for full respect for international law, including the law of the sea and international humanitarian law; protection for civilian shipping, infrastructure and civilian seafarers; the upholding of navigational rights and freedoms; an immediate end to attacks against commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the Black Sea; the full restoration and respect of navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz; and an end to attacks against shipping in the Red Sea and around Bab al-Mandab.

"Maritime choke points must never become instruments of coercion. And the world's food supply must never become collateral damage of conflict," said Guterres.

UN chief calls for cooperation on maritime shipping mechanism

In response to the latest U.S. tariff threats, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Monday that Ottawa would be willing to talk if Washington changed its approach and showed the "right attitude."

"When the Americans go to the negotiating table first, with the right attitude toward our industries and in a true partnership, of course we'll come to the negotiating table," he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump earlier on Monday threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on cars, automotive parts and steel imports from Canada after trade talks between the two North American neighbors failed.

"On January First, 2027, Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50 percent," Trump wrote in a social media post. "Canada will be treated like a state no longer."

"Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," Trump said. "We don't need Canada, they need us."

In response, Carney said that he would not accept the attitude that "Canada is a subsidiary of the United States," or that the country should be disadvantaged relative to the United States.

For the latest U.S. tariff threats, Carney said he is not surprised. He said the United States is attempting to use unfair terms to dismantle Canada's automotive, steel and aluminum sectors. He made it clear that Ottawa would never accept such a move.

The two neighbors failed Friday to reach a deal to avert new 50 percent U.S. tariffs on select Canadian goods. The United States currently collects a 25 percent tariff on Canadian cars, and imposes a 50 percent tariff on steel imports from Canada.

Trump blamed Canada for the collapse of talks, alleging "discriminatory treatment" by Canada against U.S. alcohol, car and dairy products.

Besides the trade deal, the United States and Canada need to agree on revisions to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, which Trump has refused to renew in its current form.

Canadian PM says return to talks conditional on US 'right attitude'