Key facts
- President Trump thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for remaining neutral during the conflict with Iran.
- Trump stated he personally asked Xi Jinping not to intervene in the Iran conflict.
- Trump said China receives approximately 50% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump indicated that Xi Jinping agreed to stay neutral and did not.
- Trump suggested that China's and Russia's neutrality helped resolve the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for remaining neutral during the recent conflict with Iran. Trump stated that he had personally requested that Beijing and Moscow stay out of the fighting, and both leaders complied. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he appreciated their neutrality, noting that China, in particular, has a significant stake in the region due to its reliance on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. "They get 50 percent of their oil from the Strait, but I asked him not to get involved, and he said he wouldn’t – and he didn’t," Trump said. He added that their non-intervention made the situation "much better" and helped in resolving the conflict. Trump's comments contrasted with his criticisms of some U.S. allies for not providing sufficient support during the military operation or subsequent efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Despite intelligence assessments suggesting China supplied Iran with goods that could have military uses and that Chinese refiners were key customers defying U.S. sanctions, Trump asserted that President Xi was helpful and avoided sending "big weaponry."