US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened, as the two leaders discussed the ongoing Iran conflict and global energy disruptions during high-level talks in Beijing.Speaking to Fox News after his meeting with Xi, Trump said both leaders agreed that the strategically crucial shipping route, effectively shut since the Iran war began in late February, must reopen to stabilise global energy supplies.“He’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open,” Trump said of Xi. “He said if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help.”Around 20 per cent of the world’s oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict erupted, with prolonged disruptions pushing global crude prices sharply higher and raising fears of a wider economic slowdown.Trump said Xi also opposed any proposal to impose tolls on ships crossing the strait and expressed interest in China potentially buying more American oil in the future to reduce its dependence on Gulf energy supplies.
Iran, economy dominate Trump-Xi talks
The Iran conflict emerged as a major focus during the two-hour meeting between the leaders at the Great Hall of the People, despite Trump earlier downplaying the issue before leaving for Beijing.US secretary of state Marco Rubio had said before the summit that Washington would urge Beijing to pressure Tehran into ending the conflict.“Economies are melting down because of this crisis,” Rubio said, as quoted by AP, warning that prolonged instability would eventually hurt Chinese exports as well.China has publicly criticised US and Israeli strikes on Iran, but analysts say Beijing holds considerable leverage as Iran’s biggest trading partner.
Trump praises ties with Xi despite tensions
As he wrapped up his visit, Trump insisted relations between Washington and Beijing were improving despite disagreements over Iran, Taiwan and trade.In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed Xi had congratulated him on his administration’s “tremendous successes” and said the Chinese leader’s remarks about the US being a “declining nation” were directed at former President Joe Biden rather than the current administration.“Two years ago, we were, in fact, a Nation in decline,” Trump wrote. “But now, the United States is the hottest Nation anywhere in the world.”Xi also hosted Trump at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound usually reserved for special diplomatic engagements, in what observers viewed as a personal gesture toward the US president.
Taiwan remains key flashpoint
Despite the cordial public tone, Taiwan remained a sensitive issue during the summit.According to news agency AP, Xi warned Trump privately that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push the two countries toward “clashes and even conflicts.”
How should global powers handle conflicts affecting oil supply routes?
Rubio later said US policy on Taiwan remained “unchanged” and warned it would be “a terrible mistake” for China to attempt to take the self-ruled island by force.Trump and Xi also discussed possible trade deals, including increased Chinese purchases of US agricultural products and Boeing aircraft, as both sides sought to ease economic tensions amid the broader geopolitical uncertainty.
