The United States President, Donald Trump, is concluding his high-stakes visit to China. The world’s two biggest powers discussed Iran, Taiwan, and several other global issues. Ahead of lunch with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump briefly addressed reporters, stating that the US and China “feel very similar” about Iran.
In his short address, the US President stressed that both nations believe Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon and that both want the Strait of Hormuz to remain open.
As Trump highlighted the developing relationship between the two superpowers, the picture is not as clear as it appears. Beijing has shown very little interest in directly resolving the Iran conflict, although Trump, during an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, claimed that Xi had offered to help.
On the other hand, reports also emerged that Xi warned Trump during their private talks about differences over the self-ruled island of Taiwan. Xi reportedly told Trump that if the Taiwan issue is handled poorly, it could lead to serious tensions between the two nations.
According to reports, both presidents may spend more time together at Xi’s official residence in Beijing before the US leader returns to Washington.
How Will the Trump-Xi Meeting Impact the Iran Crisis?
Trump is seeking Xi’s support in a costly and unpopular war. However, Beijing may have different priorities.
There are reports that China could help bring Iran’s leadership back to the negotiating table, but Beijing is unlikely to cut economic support for one of its most important partners in the Middle East. China is also not expected to stop supplying dual-use goods that Iran’s military may require.
Iran remains a key ally for China in a strategically important region that helps counterbalance the United States. Although the conflict is painful for Beijing economically, it has also shifted America’s diplomatic and military attention away from the Indo-Pacific region.
The next few days could prove critical and may determine the future direction of the US-Iran conflict.
“Won’t Be Much More Patient”: Trump
The US President, after his discussions with Xi on Thursday, said his patience with Iran was running out. This came after Iranian personnel reportedly seized a ship near the United Arab Emirates.
The White House said Trump and Xi discussed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. While speaking with Fox News, Trump said, “I am not going to be much more patient. They should make a deal.”
In one of the latest incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian cargo vessel carrying livestock from Africa to the UAE sank on Wednesday in waters off the coast of Oman.
Recently, another Indian cargo vessel carrying livestock from Africa to the UAE was also attacked. The ship later sank, though no casualties were reported. British maritime security advisory firm Vanguard said the vessel was believed to have been hit by a missile or drone, triggering an explosion.
Trump Says “A Lot of Different Problems” Settled With Xi
During the two-day meeting in China, Trump described the visit as “incredible” and claimed that a lot of positive outcomes had emerged from it.
“We’ve made some fantastic trade deals for both countries,” the US President said.
He also stated that both nations had solved “a lot of problems” that others would not have been able to solve.
Trump further described his relationship with Xi as “very strong.” Speaking about Iran, the US President said, “We did discuss Iran. We feel very similar about how we want it to end. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon. We want the strait open.”
“We want them to get it ended because it’s a crazy thing there,” he added.
Trump Says China Wants To Buy US Oil, Soybeans
Donald Trump also claimed that China had shown interest in purchasing US oil and soybeans during his state visit to Beijing.
China has long been a major buyer of Iranian oil and had imported small quantities of US oil before Trump’s tariffs last year. However, after the tariffs were imposed, China significantly reduced its purchases of US soybeans and increasingly turned to Brazil to meet its agricultural needs.
