President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent say China may quietly pressure Tehran to restore commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz as energy markets remain unstable.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Trump administration said Thursday that China could become a key player in efforts to stabilize the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington intensifies pressure on Beijing to use its economic influence with Iran amid continuing disruptions to one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.
During an appearance from Beijing on CNBC, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Chinese officials have strong incentives to help restore maritime traffic through the strait because of China’s heavy dependence on Gulf energy imports. Reuters reported that Bessent said Beijing would likely work “behind the scenes” with Iranian leadership and added, “I think they’re going to do what they can” to reopen the waterway.
President Donald Trump made similar comments during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, saying Chinese President Xi Jinping “would love to be a help” in resolving the shipping crisis and reopening the passage used for a substantial share of the world’s oil trade.
While administration officials have described ongoing conversations with Beijing, Chinese authorities have not publicly announced any direct mediation initiative aimed at compelling Iran to fully reopen the strait.
Instead, Chinese officials have continued issuing broader diplomatic calls for regional stability and uninterrupted trade routes. According to Reuters, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun previously stated that maintaining the Strait of Hormuz as “safe, stable and unimpeded” serves the interests of the international community.
The South China Morning Post reported that Xi also discussed the issue during an April conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying the shipping route should remain open for normal commercial transit.
The White House has increasingly pointed to China’s economic ties with Iran as a potential source of leverage. China remains Iran’s largest crude oil customer and one of the few major powers maintaining extensive trade relations with Tehran during the regional conflict.
Trump also said during the Fox News interview that Xi assured him China would not provide military equipment to Iran, following repeated U.S. allegations that Chinese-linked companies explored supplying Tehran with military technology and missile-related materials during the conflict.
Neither Trump nor senior administration officials disclosed whether Beijing sought concessions in exchange for potential assistance involving Hormuz or wider negotiations connected to Iran.
That lack of detail has prompted speculation among analysts that China could seek benefits involving tariffs, sanctions relief, export controls on advanced technology, Taiwan policy, or expanded energy agreements with the United States.
According to Reuters, White House officials also said Xi expressed interest in purchasing larger quantities of American oil to reduce China’s exposure to instability surrounding Hormuz shipping lanes, though Chinese state media did not publicly confirm those discussions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the global economic fallout from the Iran conflict because roughly one-fifth of worldwide seaborne oil shipments typically pass through the narrow route between Iran and Oman. The channel also carries substantial volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilizer exports, making prolonged disruption a threat to energy, shipping, and agricultural markets worldwide.
Iran sharply restricted movement through the strait following U.S. and Israeli military strikes earlier this year, contributing to attacks on commercial vessels, soaring maritime insurance rates, rerouted cargo traffic, and heightened volatility in global oil markets.
Oil prices eased somewhat this week after Iranian media suggested that some vessels, including Chinese ships, were permitted passage under what appeared to be a limited arrangement between Tehran and Beijing. Reuters reported that Iran’s Fars news agency claimed the understanding followed diplomatic requests made by China’s foreign minister and ambassador.
Security concerns in the region remain elevated. The Guardian reported that Iranian authorities are now requiring ships entering the strait to coordinate directly with the Iranian navy after the seizure of a vessel near the United Arab Emirates.
Administration officials continue arguing that China’s economic dependence on Gulf oil gives Beijing a direct interest in restoring stability to the waterway.
Trump emphasized that point during his Fox News appearance, saying it is “clear that China has a strong interest” in seeing the passage reopened.
For now, however, the administration’s assertions regarding Chinese involvement are based largely on private diplomatic discussions described by Trump and Bessent rather than any formal public commitment issued by Beijing.
Original article
Comments