Trump says China ‘hasn’t done anything hostile’ on Iran as Xi signals interest in buying more US oil

BEIJING, CHINA: President Donald Trump China has “not done anything hostile” during discussions on the Iran crisis, striking a positive tone toward Beijing’s role in Middle East tensions while suggesting Chinese President Xi Jinping could help stabilize the situation due to China’s strong energy interests in the region.

The comments came after Trump’s high-level summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both leaders discussed Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and global oil markets.

Trump says China ‘has not done anything hostile’ on Iran

Speaking to reporters and in later media interviews, Trump said China was not escalating tensions around Iran and framed Beijing as a potential stabilizing force rather than an adversary in the current crisis.

Trump said Xi Jinping “probably” has the ability to influence Iran, but emphasized the non-military nature of China’s involvement.

“He’s not coming in with guns, he’s not coming in with rifles, they’re not coming in shooting. And Xi ‘hasn’t done anything hostile.’”

He added that China’s position on Iran came up directly in the talks and that Beijing is not engaging in military escalation.

“When you say support, they’re not fighting a war with us or anything. He said he’s not going to give them military equipment.”

Trump also suggested China’s reliance on Middle Eastern energy flows makes stability a priority for Beijing, particularly through key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

Xi Jinping could influence Iran through energy leverage

Trump said Xi’s economic footprint in the region gives him potential leverage over Tehran, though he stopped short of suggesting direct intervention.

Host Sean Hannity asked whether Xi could meaningfully influence Iran given China’s role as a major oil buyer, to which Trump responded:

“Yeah, probably, but, look, he’s not coming in with guns, he’s not coming in with rifles, they’re not coming in shooting.”

Trump added that China has avoided any aggressive posture despite broader geopolitical tensions.

“I don’t think he wants them to have — no, he would like to see it end. But he’s been good about it, hasn’t done anything hostile."

China signals interest in buying more US oil

One of the key developments emerging from the Trump-Xi summit was discussion around China potentially increasing energy purchases from the United States.

Trump said Xi showed openness to the idea of buying American oil during their conversations.

“I told him I'd love to see you buy oil from Texas, and Louisiana, from the United States, Alaska, we've got so much of it, and he said he likes the idea, he'd like to talk about that,” Trump said.

He added, “I think it’ll happen.”

Trump also claimed Chinese shipments are already moving toward US ports to purchase energy products, pointing to what he described as a shift in trade dynamics.

“They’re doing it right now; they’re sending Chinese ships up to buy oil.”

The remarks come as Washington and Beijing continue to balance competition with economic interdependence, with energy emerging as a key point of negotiation in ongoing diplomatic talks.