Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned former President Donald Trump’s reported proposal to impose heavy fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Lula argued that such a move would effectively transform the United States into a ‘pirate state’—a nation that uses its military and economic might to extort money from international trade routes. The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of the world’s oil supply, making any unilateral fee or blockade a direct threat to global energy security and maritime commerce. In my opinion, Lula’s strong language reflects broader Global South frustration with U.S. unilateralism. While Trump’s plan aims to pressure Iran and secure U.S. interests, imposing fees on neutral shipping violates principles of freedom of navigation and could spike energy prices worldwide. Such actions undermine international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which the U.S. has not ratified but often cites. Lula’s critique highlights a dangerous precedent: if major powers start taxing strategic waterways, global trade becomes hostage to geopolitical whims. This could trigger retaliatory measures from other nations, escalating into a trade war with severe consequences for developing economies like Brazil. The ‘pirate’ label is provocative but not baseless—it underscores how economic coercion can mimic the very practices nations claim to oppose.