Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said, as the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict with Iran and global energy turmoil during high-level talks in Beijing.Speaking to Fox News after his meeting with Xi, Trump said the two leaders agreed that the strategically important shipping route, which has been effectively closed since the Iran war began in late February, should be reopened to stabilize global energy supplies.Trump said of Xi: “He would like to see the Strait of Hormuz open.” “He said if I can be of any help at all, I’d love to help.”About 20 percent of the world’s oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict erupted, with prolonged disruptions sending global crude oil prices sharply higher and raising fears of a broader economic slowdown.Trump said Xi also opposes any proposal to impose duties on ships crossing the strait, and expressed interest in the possibility that China might buy more American oil in the future to reduce its dependence on Gulf energy supplies.
Iran and the economy dominate Trump-Xi talks
The Iranian conflict emerged as a main focus during the two-hour meeting between the two leaders in the Great Hall of the People, although Trump had earlier downplayed the importance of the issue before leaving for Beijing.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said before the summit that Washington would urge Beijing to put pressure on Tehran to end the conflict.
“Economies are collapsing because of this crisis,” Rubio said, according to what was reported by the Associated Press, warning that prolonged instability would eventually hurt Chinese exports as well.China has publicly criticized the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, but analysts say Beijing has great influence as Iran’s largest trading partner.
Trump praises relations with Xi despite tensions
At the conclusion of his visit, Trump insisted that relations between Washington and Beijing were improving despite disagreements over Iran, Taiwan and trade.In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Xi congratulated him on his administration’s “tremendous successes” and said the Chinese leader’s comments about the US being a “declining nation” were directed at former President Joe Biden and not the current administration.“Two years ago, we were actually a nation in decline,” Trump wrote, “but now, the United States is the hottest country anywhere in the world.”Xi also hosted Trump in Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound usually reserved for private diplomatic engagements, in what observers saw as a personal gesture toward the US president.
Taiwan remains a major flashpoint
Despite the friendly overall tone, Taiwan remained a sensitive issue during the summit.According to the Associated Press news agency, Xi specifically warned Trump that mishandling of the Taiwan issue could push the two countries toward “clashes and even conflicts.”
How should world powers deal with conflicts affecting oil supply routes?
Rubio later said US policy on Taiwan had not changed, and warned that it would be a “huge mistake” for China to try to seize the self-governing island by force.Trump and Xi also discussed potential trade deals, including increased Chinese purchases of US agricultural products and Boeing aircraft, as the two sides sought to ease economic tensions amid broader geopolitical uncertainty.
