Trump asked Xi about Iran, was told 'whatever you need': Report

The meeting came amid rising US-Iran tensions and the Hormuz closure, as Washington sought China's help reopening the Strait
President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping greet children during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping greet children during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)


BEIJING, CHINA: As the high-stakes two-day summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping takes place in Beijing, China, diplomatic ties appear to be improving as Xi reportedly told Trump- whatever he needed on Iran.

The meeting comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington looks to China’s support on the reopening of the strait.

Trump and Xi push partnership over rivalry at Beijing summit

The historic meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping was scheduled at the Great Hall of the People, where they addressed issues regarding trade, technology, Taiwan, and the Iran war.

In a major development from the summit, President Trump was told, “whatever you need” when he asked Xi about Iran, Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt revealed on Thursday, May 14, morning’s Fox & Friends.

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 9: U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping arrive at
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive at a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People on November 9, 2017, in Beijing, China (Thomas Peter - Pool/Getty Images)

Earhardt shared the remarks shortly after Trump delivered a toast to his Chinese counterpart during a dinner.

“This was very positive today,” Earhardt said.

While Earhardt raised concerns about trusting China, the anchor highlighted that the interaction was “very positive.”

China's President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, left, visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool Photo via AP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump, left, visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Brendan Smialowski/Pool Photo via AP)

“And we have to be cautiously optimistic. We know what China is capable of. Do you trust another country, especially China? Maybe not. But this was very positive because President Xi said we must not mess this up. We’re gonna be partners, not rivals. Strategic stability to bring peace and prosperity to the rest of the world,” she added.

Trump reveals he talked to Xi Jinping about Iran

Earhardt revealed that the information came from the president himself during an interview with Fox News, which will go on air on Thursday night.

Earhardt added, “Sean Hannity interviewed President Trump after their bilateral, and that’s gonna air tonight. Sean told me before the show that the president said he talked to Xi about Iran, and Xi said, ‘Whatever you need.'”

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, attend a welcome ceremony for President Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP)
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, attend a welcome ceremony for President Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Maxim Shemetov/Pool Photo via AP)

President Trump embarked on the strategically important two-day trip to Beijing, China, on Tuesday and is scheduled to return on Friday evening.

Xi Jinping says Strait must remain open

Following the meeting between President Trump and his counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Thursday, the White House said that the leaders had agreed that the Strait must remain open and that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon."

President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

"The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy," read a White House report of Thursday's meeting.

"President Xi also made clear China's opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China's dependence on the Strait in the future. Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon," the White House added.

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