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President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping said he would not provide military equipment to Iran, which was the focus of a major meeting marking the Trump administration’s possible victory.
Xi “said he’s not going to give away weapons of war. That’s a big statement. To say that today. That’s a big statement. (He said that firmly),” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday.
The promise comes as the Trump administration continues to cast China not just as an economic rival, but as a major source of rival states, with Beijing’s economic and material support for Iran emerging as a focus of this week’s high-level talks with Xi.
US officials continue to accuse China of helping to bolster Iran’s military and economy through oil purchases, bilateral exports and central networks.
TRUMP TO CONTINUE XI IN TOP MISSION WHILE CHINA SUPPORTS IRAN, RUSSIA
Trump added that Xi has also offered to help end the conflict.
“He said, if I can be at all helpful, I’d like to help,” Trump said.
Xi “said he’s not going to give away weapons. That’s a big statement. To say that today. It’s a big statement. (He said that strongly),” Trump said. (Mark Schifelbein/AP)
The White House and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment on the matter.
“But at the same time, he said, you know, they buy a lot of their oil there, and they would like to continue doing that. He would like to see the Strait of Hormuz open,” said Trump. “I said, we didn’t stop it. They did it.”
TRUMP GOES TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI SPEAKS AS TAIWAN MEETING, TRADE FRIENDS TEST STRENGTH
China relies heavily on Iranian oil exports, buying about $31 billion to $32 billion of Iranian crude annually, according to Reuters.
President Donald Trump said that Chinese President Xi Jinping said he would not provide military equipment to Iran. (Kenny Holston/Pool Photo via AP)
Beijing ordered firms to ignore US sanctions on Iranian oil in May – a direct challenge to Washington’s crackdown.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has called for a 2021 “prevention clause” ahead of the summit that prevents companies from complying with “unlawful” foreign sanctions. The order targeted several Chinese refiners accused by the US of buying Iranian crude, including large independent processors known as “teapot” refineries.
CHINA ORDERS COMPANIES NOT TO CRASH IRAN’S SERVICES, ASKED TO SET CRACKDOWN SCHEDULE
“He didn’t like that they were charging tolls,” Trump said. “I don’t know if they are there or not. I don’t know who is going to pay him. I mean, where do they put the money to come to the countries that have declined, you know, they charge tolls on where the money goes,” said Trump.
President Donald Trump said he believes an agreement will be reached with China buying oil from the US at the end of the trip. (Mark Schifelbein/AP)
Trump said he believes that an agreement will be reached with China buying oil from the US at the end of the trip, with an increase in oil prices.
“They’re going to Texas. We’re going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas and Louisiana and Alaska. And I think that was another thing that was agreed upon. That’s a big thing,” Trump said.
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The two leaders held a bilateral tea meeting on Friday morning local time in Beijing at the Zhongnanhai compound in their last meeting before Trump returns to the White House.
Fox News’ Morgan Phillips and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
