Trump warned Xi to stop helping Iran during White House talks

US President Donald Trump pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping during White House talks this week to end any Chinese assistance to Iran, declaring such support “totally unacceptable,” according to US Ambassador to China David Perdue.

The discussion took place amid Xi’s three-day state visit to Washington, which concluded Friday, and against the backdrop of the ongoing US war with Iran.

Perdue, speaking in interviews on Friday, said the United States had communicated its position clearly for weeks.

“We made it very clear to them weeks ago that, you know, any help that they would give Iran, whether it be direct or indirect, whether it be intelligence or parts or military equipment, was totally unacceptable,” Perdue told CNBC.

“President Trump made that very clear again yesterday. This is an ongoing drumbeat.”

Trump later confirmed that Iran featured in the leaders’ discussions.

“We did,” he told reporters when asked whether he had raised the war with Xi.

“I think we’re going to do great.”

The talks occurred as reports circulated of Chinese entities supplying Iran with dual-use components, shoulder-fired air-defense systems, and helping Tehran evade oil sanctions.

On Fox News, Perdue said Beijing had already responded positively.

“We’ve seen movement … on that already. That’s what the commitment is. They assured us yesterday they’re not doing that,” he stated on “America’s Newsroom.”

He added that “President Trump did a great job making sure China knows this is unacceptable.”

Perdue described the overall conversation between the two leaders as constructive.

“These two leaders are beginning to develop a relationship of somewhat trust and also working on the issues. I mean, this was a very candid and open conversation, and every time they talk, I think we see a different level of intimacy about these difficult issues that we’re dealing with,” he said.

Both sides have previously agreed that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open.
Concerns about Chinese support for Iran have persisted for months, including earlier reports of missile-related shipments and intelligence assistance.

Chinese officials, however, have privately assured Iranian counterparts that Beijing will not curtail economic, political, or military ties under US pressure, according to a senior Iranian official.

Xi publicly urged the United States and Iran to return to negotiations during the visit.