Trump’s Controversial Claim: Piracy “ Only Thing” Somalia is Known for

He described Somali piracy as a major threat to large oil tankers and said insurance companies often prefer paying ransom rather than risking damage to ships that can cost more than $1 billion to build.

Trump also portrayed Somalia as lacking basic state institutions, saying the country had no functioning government, military or police force.

Somalia has endured decades of civil conflict and insurgency but has a federally recognized government backed by the United Nations and African Union forces. Piracy off its coast peaked in the late 2000s and early 2010s before declining following increased international naval patrols and onboard security measures.