Trump Downplays Differences with China's Xi Over Iran Conflict as He Heads to Beijing for High-Stakes Summit
Ahead of his visit, Trump sought to minimize the need to persuade Xi to change China's posture on Iran.
President Donald Trump has downplayed differences with President Xi Jinping over the US and Israel's conflict in Iran as he prepares to attend a high-stakes summit with the Chinese leader.
Trump has been trying to convince Xi to use China's influence to prod Iran into ending the conflict or at least reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
However, just before leaving for Beijing, Trump downplayed any differences he may have with Xi regarding Iran.
Trump stated that he believes Xi has been relatively cooperative in addressing the conflict and expressed his optimism about discussing the issue further during his meeting with Xi.
He also emphasized that they have a lot to discuss beyond the conflict in Iran, including trade and fentanyl exports.
Beijing has publicly supported the desire for an end to the war and has been working behind the scenes to help Pakistan broker a peace agreement.
They have also sent subtle messages of discontent to both Iran and the US regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the blockading of Iranian shipping.
China has been sanctioned by the US for providing sensitive satellite imagery to Iran, which enables their military strikes against US forces in the Middle East.
Additionally, the Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Chinese oil refineries and shippers accused of buying oil from Tehran.
Despite these sanctions, Beijing has defended its right to develop civilian nuclear energy and has criticized the selective application of international law, adding that they do not want to be involved in issues that are not their concern.
Both Trump and Xi may be eager to avoid creating dark economic clouds by resolving their differences over Iran.
The US and China appeared on the brink of a massive trade war last year but reached a fragile truce in October.
Overall, the upcoming summit between Trump and Xi will likely focus on various difficult matters in their complicated relationship, including the conflict in Iran, trade, and further cooperation in blocking fentanyl precursors.
However, it remains to be seen how much progress can be made in addressing these issues.
Trump has been trying to convince Xi to use China's influence to prod Iran into ending the conflict or at least reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
However, just before leaving for Beijing, Trump downplayed any differences he may have with Xi regarding Iran.
Trump stated that he believes Xi has been relatively cooperative in addressing the conflict and expressed his optimism about discussing the issue further during his meeting with Xi.
He also emphasized that they have a lot to discuss beyond the conflict in Iran, including trade and fentanyl exports.
Beijing has publicly supported the desire for an end to the war and has been working behind the scenes to help Pakistan broker a peace agreement.
They have also sent subtle messages of discontent to both Iran and the US regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the blockading of Iranian shipping.
China has been sanctioned by the US for providing sensitive satellite imagery to Iran, which enables their military strikes against US forces in the Middle East.
Additionally, the Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Chinese oil refineries and shippers accused of buying oil from Tehran.
Despite these sanctions, Beijing has defended its right to develop civilian nuclear energy and has criticized the selective application of international law, adding that they do not want to be involved in issues that are not their concern.
Both Trump and Xi may be eager to avoid creating dark economic clouds by resolving their differences over Iran.
The US and China appeared on the brink of a massive trade war last year but reached a fragile truce in October.
Overall, the upcoming summit between Trump and Xi will likely focus on various difficult matters in their complicated relationship, including the conflict in Iran, trade, and further cooperation in blocking fentanyl precursors.
However, it remains to be seen how much progress can be made in addressing these issues.
