President Donald Trump said China wants to help advance a resolution to the Iran conflict by keeping key maritime routes open [1].
This cooperation is critical because it suggests a strategic alignment between the U.S. and China to pressure Tehran into negotiating a deal with Washington [1, 3].
During an interview on Fox News’ Hannity program that aired on Thursday, May 14, 2026 [1], Trump said he met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing [1, 2]. Trump characterized the Chinese leader as a businessman [1].
According to Trump, the Chinese government intends to use its influence to encourage Iran to reach an agreement with the U.S. [1]. The president said that maintaining the flow of trade through maritime corridors is a priority for Beijing as it seeks to stabilize the region [1].
These conversations in Beijing focused on U.S.–China cooperation regarding the situation in Iran, and broader trade issues [1, 3]. The outreach aims to ensure that Tehran feels sufficient pressure to return to the negotiating table [1].
While Trump spoke about Xi's nature during the media appearance, other reports noted that the president remained silent to the media during the actual private meetings in Beijing [4].
Trump's description of Xi as a businessman reflects a transactional approach to diplomacy — one that prioritizes economic stability and strategic leverage over ideological alignment [1].
“"Xi Jinping es un hombre de negocios."”
The alignment of the U.S. and China on Iran suggests a shift toward a coordinated geopolitical strategy. By leveraging China's economic ties with Tehran and its interest in maritime security, the U.S. may be attempting to create a more effective pressure campaign to force Iran into a diplomatic settlement.
