President Donald Trump said Tuesday he does not need help from Chinese President Xi Jinping to address the war in Iran [1].

The statement establishes a firm U.S. position on national security and diplomatic autonomy before a high-stakes meeting between the two world leaders. It signals that while the U.S. is open to dialogue, it does not view China as a necessary partner in resolving the conflict.

Trump spoke during a White House briefing on May 12, 2026 [1], shortly before departing for a multiday summit with Xi in Beijing, China [2]. The president said that the conflict in Iran remains a priority for the upcoming diplomatic talks.

"I don't need Xi's help on Iran," Trump said [3].

Despite the assertion of independence, Trump said that the two leaders would still engage in discussions regarding the region. He said that the U.S. and China will have a long talk with President Xi about the war in Iran, but reiterated that he does not need his help [4].

The president said the United States possesses the capability to handle the situation in Iran without intervention from the Chinese government [5]. This stance precedes the official summit, where various geopolitical tensions are expected to be addressed.

The White House briefing served as the final public address before the presidential aircraft departed for Beijing. The summit is expected to cover a range of bilateral issues beyond the war in Iran, though the president's comments highlight a specific boundary regarding Middle East security strategy.

“"I don't need Xi's help on Iran."”

This positioning suggests a strategy of 'engagement without reliance.' By publicly dismissing the need for Chinese assistance before arriving in Beijing, Trump aims to maintain leverage in negotiations and project U.S. strength. It indicates that the U.S. intends to lead the diplomatic or military response to Iran, treating China as a stakeholder to be informed or managed rather than a partner in a joint resolution.