U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open, following high-stakes talks in Beijing dominated by the ongoing Iran conflict.
Speaking after the second day of meetings with Xi, Trump said the two leaders had discussed Iran extensively alongside trade, Taiwan and global security issues.
“We’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to solve,” Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the central flashpoints in the conflict after Iran effectively shut the waterway to most shipping traffic following U.S.-Israeli strikes that began on February 28. The disruption has severely affected global energy markets, as roughly a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes through the narrow route.
China, Iran’s largest oil buyer and one of Tehran’s closest strategic partners, has faced mounting pressure from Washington to help stabilise the situation.
According to Trump, both leaders agreed the strait must remain open.
After Thursday’s talks, the White House said Xi expressed opposition to the militarisation of the waterway and rejected any attempt to impose tolls on shipping through Hormuz, something Iran has repeatedly threatened.
Trump also claimed Xi promised China would not provide military equipment to Tehran.
“He said he’s not going to give military equipment, that’s a big statement,” Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ Hannity programme.
Xi did not publicly comment on Trump’s remarks regarding military support, though China’s foreign ministry issued a sharply worded statement expressing frustration with the war.
“This conflict, which should never have happened, has no reason to continue,” the ministry said.
Trump meanwhile warned that his patience with Tehran was fading as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme remain stalled.
“I am not going to be much more patient. They should make a deal,” Trump said.
Iran has refused to end its nuclear programme or surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium, while continuing to deny accusations that it seeks to build a nuclear weapon.
Trump downplayed the strategic importance of securing Iran’s uranium stockpile, suggesting it mattered more politically than militarily.
“I don’t think it’s necessary except from a public relations standpoint,” he said.
The White House also said Xi expressed interest in purchasing more American oil in the future, potentially reducing China’s dependence on supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, analysts remain doubtful that Beijing will significantly pressure Tehran, given Iran’s importance to China as a regional partner and strategic counterweight to the United States.
The Iran conflict has increasingly become a political burden for Trump domestically, with rising energy prices and growing public concern ahead of key U.S. midterm elections later this year.
(with inputs from Reuters)
