US President Donald Trump said China can “probably” influence Iran after meeting his counterpart Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing.
In an interview that aired Thursday night on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Trump said, “Si probably has the ability to influence Iran” as Tehran and Washington try to reach a deal.
He has privately offered to help resolve the war, though it was unclear what that would mean given China’s strategic partnership with Iran, Trump said in the interview.
Trump also said that Xi had assured him that China would not provide Iran with military equipment.
He also told Fox News that the two world leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed since the start of the Iran conflict, must be reopened to support global energy demands.
Before war broke out on February 28, about 20% of the world’s oil flowed through the strait.
China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, and Trump hopes Xi will use that leverage to get Iran to agree to a deal on American terms.
“He would like to see the Strait of Hormuz open,” Trump said. “He said if I can help in any way, I’d love to help.
The US president said Xi also opposes any tolls imposed on vessels passing through the strait.
The US president said he thought Iran’s current leadership was “actually much more sensible in many ways”. – “Smarter than the first and second degrees, who are no longer with us.”
But Trump has said he won’t be much more patient with Iran. “I’m not going to be much more patient,” Trump said. “They should make a deal.
Trump and Xi will spend more time together on Friday at Xi’s official residence before the US president returns to Washington. “I actually think he’s a warm person. But he’s just business,” Trump said of Xi in an interview with Fox News. “There are no games.
