>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
For years, China has been one of Iran’s most important economic lifelines, purchasing billions of dollars in Iranian crude oil while helping the regime sidestep Western sanctions. American officials have repeatedly warned that Chinese companies and intermediaries have enabled Iran to continue funding military operations and regional proxies despite crushing economic restrictions.
Trump indicated that the discussions with Xi went far beyond trade.
According to the president, Xi also floated the possibility of helping calm the growing conflict in the region.
“He said, if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help,” Trump said.
The revelation comes as global concern intensifies over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. Any disruption in the narrow waterway has the potential to send oil prices soaring and destabilize international markets.
Trump said Xi made clear that China wants shipping traffic flowing freely again because Beijing depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil.
“But at the same time, he said, you know, they buy a lot of their oil there, and they’d like to keep doing that. He’d like to see Hormuz Strait opened,” said Trump. “I said, well, we didn’t stop it. They did it.”
China reportedly imports more than $30 billion worth of Iranian crude each year, making Beijing one of Tehran’s largest financial partners. Despite sanctions imposed by Washington, Chinese refiners have continued purchasing Iranian oil through a network of intermediaries and independent processors.
In fact, Beijing recently escalated tensions with the United States by instructing Chinese firms to ignore American sanctions targeting Iranian oil imports. Chinese officials invoked a controversial “blocking statute” that prohibits companies from complying with what Beijing calls illegitimate foreign sanctions.
That move infuriated many in Washington and fueled concerns that China was actively undermining efforts to economically isolate Iran.
Yet Trump now appears to believe he may have extracted significant concessions from Xi behind closed doors.
The president also questioned reports claiming Iran has been profiting from vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
“He didn’t like the fact that they’re charging tolls,” said Trump. “I don’t know if they are or not. I don’t know who would pay him. I mean, where do they put the money to come to countries decimated, you know, they’re charging tolls where’s the money going,” said Trump.
Trump further hinted that the meetings may have opened the door to a massive energy deal between the United States and China.
According to the president, discussions included the possibility of Chinese ships purchasing American oil directly from states like Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, a development that could provide a major boost to the U.S. energy sector.
“They’re going to go to Texas. We’re going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas and to Louisiana and to Alaska. And I think that was another thing that was agreed to it. That’s a big thing,” said Trump.
The comments sent shockwaves through political and energy circles, especially given the ongoing battle between Washington and Beijing over trade, military influence, and global dominance.
Trump and Xi reportedly concluded their final round of talks Friday morning at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing before the president departed for Washington.
Whether Xi ultimately follows through on the promises Trump described remains to be seen. But if the Chinese leader truly cuts off military assistance to Iran while increasing energy cooperation with the United States, it could mark one of the most significant diplomatic shifts in years.
For now, Trump is presenting the Beijing trip as proof that his America First approach can still deliver major wins on the world stage while putting adversaries like Iran under even greater pressure.
