Key facts
- U.S. President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping that Chinese help for Iran is unacceptable.
- U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue relayed Trump's message to CNBC.
- The meeting between Trump and Xi took place at the White House.
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that Trump obtained a commitment from China not to provide material support to Iran.
- Greer said China has a clear interest in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. lawmakers had pressed Trump to take tougher action against Chinese entities accused of helping Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump made clear during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that Chinese assistance to Iran is unacceptable, according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. Perdue told CNBC on Friday that Trump conveyed this message during candid discussions at the White House.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated on ABC News that Trump obtained a commitment from China not to provide material support to Iran. Greer added that China has a clear interest in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though the U.S. did not seek China's direct help in that endeavor. He also noted that trade negotiations took place at lower levels before the leaders' meeting.
Prior to Xi's visit, U.S. lawmakers and national-security experts had urged Trump to take a tougher stance against Chinese entities accused of aiding Iran with satellite intelligence, weapons components, and oil revenue. Republican Senator Roger Wicker highlighted press reports of China providing satellite imagery intelligence that allegedly led to the death of American troops. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and 18 other senators accused Trump of failing to hold Xi accountable for alleged Chinese company support for Iran.