Before his trip to Beijing, US President Donald Trump downplayed differences with President Xi Jinping over the Iran war.
05/13/2026, 04:0605/13/2026, 04:06
The Chinese leader did a pretty good job, Trump said in response to a journalist’s question about China’s role in Iran. “Look at the naval blockade – no problems,” said Trump.
Downplays tensions between China and the US: Donald Trump.Image: keystone
In fact, Chinese support for Iran is a point of tension in the relationship between Washington and Beijing. The US Treasury Department has recently imposed sanctions several times against Chinese companies that, according to the US, are conducting unauthorized trade with Iran. Among other things, it was about refineries that purchase oil exports, which are important for Tehran. China is by far the most important buyer of Iranian oil. The USA, on the other hand, is trying to increase the pressure on the Iranian leadership with a naval blockade.
Trump said Xi was someone he got along with very well. «It will be a very exciting journey. A lot of great things will happen,” he said. Asked whether Xi could be helpful in the Iran war, Trump said:
“I don’t think we need any help at all in Iran.”
Trump is confident about Iran’s uranium enrichment
In the war with Iran that has been going on for over two months, diplomatic efforts to reach a peace agreement have stalled. A central point of contention between the warring parties is how to deal with Iran’s controversial nuclear program and its stockpile of around 440 kilograms of uranium, which has been enriched to 60 percent and, if further processed, could be used to build several nuclear weapons.
In an interview with radio station 77 WABC, Trump expressed his confidence about this. Asked whether he was confident he could stop Iran from enriching uranium and ensure Tehran never got a nuclear weapon, Trump said: “100 percent. They will stop doing this.” The US President also confirmed that Tehran’s highly enriched uranium reserves would be obtained. He left it open which way. (sda/dpa)