Trump and Xi Discuss Reopening of Strait of Hormuz

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Thursday and discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The White House said the two leaders concurred that the strait must remain open. A White House official said both countries also agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

Chinese state media reported that the leaders exchanged views on the Middle East situation and other major international and regional issues but did not specifically mention the strait.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that China will work behind the scenes to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership. “China has a much bigger interest in reopening the strait than the U.S. does,” Bessent said. He added that reopening the strait “is very much in China’s interest” and that Beijing is interested in buying more U.S. energy, including from Alaska, to diversify away from the Middle East for more stable sources.

Bessent noted that countries around the world are looking to diversify energy sources, with the U.S. positioned to ramp up oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

China is the largest crude oil importer in the world. Nearly all of Iran’s crude oil exports have gone to China. Iran has blockaded the strait since early March. The blockade has cut off Persian Gulf oil exports to the global market. Some 20% of the world’s crude oil transited through the strait prior to the conflict.

The vessels’ operators have not been publicly identified by the U.S. government in connection with recent incidents. Tehran is claiming control over the narrow sea lane and has sought to implement a toll system for ships.

Trump described the day as fantastic. He told Fox News that Xi offered to help on Iran if he could be of any help and would like to see a deal made with Iran and the strait reopened. The summit also covered trade issues including fentanyl, Taiwan, economic cooperation, increasing China’s purchases of U.S. agricultural products and expanding market access for American businesses.

Leaders from several major U.S. companies joined part of the meeting. The two sides agreed to build a constructive and strategically stable relationship.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said after the meeting that China’s position on the Strait of Hormuz is consistent and clear. The Chinese side did not publicly commit to any immediate action. A ship was reported taken by unknown parties off the UAE coast near the strait and headed toward Iranian waters, according to a U.K. maritime agency.

A Hezbollah drone strike also wounded several Israeli civilians earlier in the day. The meeting occurred as Israel and Lebanon resumed peace talks in Washington.