Trump flips China against Iran as 'very happy' Xi backs Hormuz reopening and freezes arms supply

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Wednesday, April 15, said China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, while asserting that Beijing supports his decision to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks came in a series of public statements, including a Truth Social post and a television interview, as tensions persist over the strategic waterway.

Trump also suggested that diplomatic engagement with China remains active, citing direct communication with President Xi Jinping. The developments follow ongoing disruptions to global shipping and energy flows linked to the regional conflict.

Trump says China backs Hormuz move and halts arms to Iran

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said China supports his decision regarding the Strait of Hormuz and indicated that Beijing has committed to withholding weapons from Iran.

“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also, and the world. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran,” Trump wrote.

He added that he expects a positive reception during a planned visit to China, stating, “President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!!.”

Trump also referenced US economic and technological positioning in separate remarks, saying, “I said, ‘If you want to build it, you have to build your own power’ — and they will be giving excess power back into our grid. We’re beating China on AI and on the economy.”

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he had directly communicated with Xi to discourage any potential arms transfers to Iran.

“I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that, essentially, he's not doing that,” Trump said, without specifying when the exchange took place.

Shipping disruptions persist as tensions over Iran continue

The comments come amid continued uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

The waterway was declared closed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards approximately 45 days earlier, disrupting around 20 per cent of global energy flows. 

While a two-week ceasefire has since been announced, shipping activity remains significantly reduced compared to pre-conflict levels.

According to available data, daily vessel traffic has dropped sharply from more than 130 crossings before the disruption, with only a fraction of that volume currently moving through the strait.

The United States has also implemented a blockade on shipping from Iranian ports, with officials stating that maritime trade linked to Iran has effectively been halted.

Trump indicated that diplomatic efforts with Tehran could resume, noting that discussions over the weekend did not produce a breakthrough but may continue.

At the same time, he has warned that countries supplying weapons to Iran could face economic consequences, including tariffs of up to 50%.