President Donald Trump said after concluding his three-day visit to China that the United States and China agree that Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. He also said both countries agreed on the need to keep the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz open.
Trump visited China from May 13 to May 15, during which he held extensive discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on bilateral trade, the situation in the Middle East, Taiwan, and global security issues.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from China, Trump said the United States and China hold largely similar views regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. He said President Xi Jinping also stressed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is critically important for global energy supplies and must not be allowed to close under any circumstances. He claimed that Iranian losses over the past two-and-a-half weeks amounted to approximately $500 million per day due to US naval activities and surveillance operations in the region.
He said the United States remains committed to maintaining stability in the region and does not want any form of maritime blockade or escalation of tensions. Trump’s remarks came amid continuing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and sustained global market focus on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump and Xi Jinping also held detailed discussions on the Taiwan issue during the China visit. Trump said the Chinese president does not want a military conflict over Taiwan under any circumstances because it could trigger a broader regional and global confrontation.
According to Trump, Xi stated clearly that China opposes any efforts related to Taiwan’s independence. Trump did not publicly comment on the issue from the US side but said he listened carefully to the Chinese president’s position.
Trump said, “Our discussions were extremely positive. President Xi Jinping is a b and intelligent leader. We reached a good understanding on sensitive issues such as Taiwan and Iran.”
During the press interaction aboard Air Force One, Trump was also asked about US arms sales to Taiwan. Reporters referred to assurances given to China in 1982 by then-US President Ronald Reagan, under which the United States had said it would not consult China regarding arms sales to Taiwan.
Trump said circumstances had changed significantly since 1982 and that the current global environment is entirely different. He said the Chinese side raised the issue during the talks and that both leaders discussed it in detail.
Trump indicated that the United States could take new decisions in the future regarding Taiwan policy and arms sales, but he did not disclose any possible decision.
