Key facts
- President Trump told President Xi that Chinese aid to Iran is unacceptable, according to US Ambassador David Perdue.
- US Ambassador David Perdue reported that Washington received assurances from Beijing on Thursday that China is not assisting Iran.
- President Trump confirmed he discussed the Iran war with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- China is Iran's largest trading partner and the destination for over 80% of its seaborne oil exports.
- China's trade with Iran accounts for only 1% of its overall global trade.
President Donald Trump informed Chinese President Xi Jinping that China's assistance to Iran is unacceptable, according to US Ambassador David Perdue. Trump confirmed he discussed the matter with Xi, who assured the US that Beijing would cease such support.
Perdue stated in a CNBC interview that Trump reiterated to Xi that direct or indirect support for Iran was "totally unacceptable," and that Washington received assurances from Beijing on Thursday that China is not assisting Iran.
China is Iran's largest trading partner, taking over 80% of its seaborne oil exports, though this trade represents only 1% of China's global commerce. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on September 16, reaffirming their "comprehensive strategic partnership."
While China officially maintains neutrality in the Iran war, it provides significant economic support to Tehran through covert, barter-like trade mechanisms that bypass US sanctions. The US has sanctioned Chinese oil refineries and shipping firms involved in this trade, but Iran and its Chinese buyers have found ways to evade these measures. China's stance is partly based on its interpretation of international law, asserting that normal trade between China and Iran is not subject to UN sanctions, and it does not recognize the legality of unilateral US sanctions. Concerns also extend to the military domain, with China playing a role in sustaining Iran's defense industrial base by providing components for drones and missiles, and access to its BeiDou satellite navigation system. Beijing denies providing military support or intelligence to Iran.