New Delhi, March 16 -- Donald Trump's aspirations of forming a coalition to help protect ships traversing through the contested Strait of Hormuz has received a lukewarm reception from the international community, with the US President turning to NATO partners and even urging China to join in.

Trump on Sunday said that his administration was in contact with seven countries regarding assistance in re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, but declined to name them.

Separately, in an interview with Financial Times on Sunday, the US President asserted that re-opening the strait should be a joint effort by the beneficiaries of trade through the region, and warned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of dire consequences if no help arrived. ...