United States President Donald Trump has stated that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, citing personal assurances from Chinese leader Xi Jinping ahead of their upcoming summit in Beijing.
In a post shared on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said China had committed to withholding military support from its Middle Eastern ally. “They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat hug when I get there in a few weeks,” he wrote, referencing his planned May 14–15 meeting with Xi.
Speaking in a separate interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, Trump explained that the assurance followed direct communication between both leaders. According to him, he had written to Xi over concerns that China might be supplying arms to Iran.
“I had heard that China’s giving weapons to — you’re seeing it all over the place — to Iran,” Trump said. “And I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that essentially he’s not doing that.”
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, which have further strained relations between the United States and China — the world’s two largest economies. The Trump-Xi summit was initially scheduled for March but was postponed following Trump’s decision to launch a military campaign in the region.
Meanwhile, China has criticized the United States over its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as “dangerous and irresponsible.” Xi, however, reiterated Beijing’s commitment to playing a “constructive role” in promoting peace in the region.
Trump, in his remarks, defended the U.S. actions, claiming they would benefit global trade. “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them also — and the world,” he said.
China remains Iran’s largest trading partner and a major buyer of its oil, underscoring the strategic importance of their relationship.
Addressing separate reports of a recent cyberattack allegedly linked to China targeting the FBI, Trump neither confirmed nor denied the claims but acknowledged ongoing cyber rivalry between the two nations. “We do it to them. They do it to us,” he said, adding, “China’s China. They’re never easy, but we’re doing great with China.”
Trump also reiterated his stance on Beijing, describing himself as “the toughest person” on China, even as both nations continue to navigate a complex and often contentious relationship.
