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

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

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

"It's only appropriat...