President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during a Thursday summit in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to global energy shipments and opposed any militarization of the critical shipping route or efforts to impose tolls on its use, according to a White House readout.
A White House official said Xi also expressed interest in increasing Chinese purchases of American oil to lessen China’s reliance on the strait. The White House later confirmed both countries agreed Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
Trump later told Fox News that Xi agreed to purchase U.S. soybeans, oil, liquified natural gas and other energy products, while also committing to buy 200 Boeing 737 jets. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg was in Beijing alongside the U.S. delegation.
The two leaders met for more than two hours, with the White House describing the talks as a “good meeting” focused on trade, economic cooperation, fentanyl precursor exports and the Iran conflict.
President Trump said President Xi Jinping made clear he would not provide military equipment to Iran, calling it “a big statement,” noting Xi expressed a strong desire to help negotiate a resolution to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also invited Xi to Washington for a meeting in September.
Sources: New York Post / The Hill
