President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker a peace deal with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
This diplomatic outreach comes as the global oil market faces significant tension due to the closure of the critical shipping corridor. A successful negotiation could stabilize energy prices and reduce military friction in the Middle East.
Trump discussed the offer during an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News on Thursday, May 14, following high-stakes talks in Beijing [1]. The U.S. president said that Xi expressed a desire to see the Hormuz Strait open to oil shipments [2].
"Xi told me that China would like to be of help in negotiating an end to the war with Iran," Trump said [3].
The talks in Beijing focused on ending the conflict between Iran and its adversaries. Trump said he would love to be of help, if he can be of any help whatsoever [4].
Beyond regional security, the discussions touched upon economic cooperation between the two superpowers. Trump said that China plans to order 200 Boeing jets [5]. This move suggests a broader effort to tie geopolitical stability to trade agreements.
"He’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open," Trump said regarding Xi's position [6].
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most volatile maritime chokepoints in the world. China, as a major importer of oil, has a direct economic interest in ensuring the waterway remains navigable and free from conflict.
“"Xi told me that China would like to be of help in negotiating an end to the war with Iran."”
The offer from Beijing to mediate the Iran conflict signals China's intent to expand its role as a global diplomatic power. By linking a peace proposal for the Strait of Hormuz with a massive commercial purchase of U.S. aircraft, China is utilizing a 'trade-for-stability' strategy to manage its relationship with the U.S. while securing its own energy supply chains.
