Trump Warns China Against Supporting Iran in Xi Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated to Chinese President Xi Jinping that any Chinese assistance to Iran would be unacceptable, according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, highlighting Washington’s concerns over Beijing’s relationship with Tehran.

Perdue said Friday that Trump delivered the message during candid discussions with Xi at the White House, reinforcing warnings that U.S. officials had previously communicated to Beijing.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Perdue said Washington had made its position clear to Chinese officials weeks earlier. The warning covers any direct or indirect assistance to Iran, including intelligence sharing, military equipment, components or other forms of support.

“We made it very clear to them weeks ago” that assistance to Iran was unacceptable, Perdue said, adding that Trump repeated that position during his latest conversation with Xi.

Perdue described the warning as part of an “ongoing drumbeat” from the Trump administration as the United States seeks to limit outside assistance to Tehran amid heightened tensions involving Iran.

The ambassador also characterized the Trump-Xi talks as candid and open, saying the two leaders are developing a working relationship that includes discussions on difficult geopolitical issues.

According to Perdue, there is an emerging degree of trust between Trump and Xi as they continue engaging on areas where U.S. and Chinese interests diverge. He said each conversation appears to bring a different level of familiarity to their discussions about complex bilateral and international challenges.

The remarks underscore how Iran has become another significant issue in U.S.-China relations. Washington is signaling that Beijing’s dealings with Tehran, particularly any potential military or intelligence assistance, remain under close scrutiny.

Trump’s warning also comes as the United States and China navigate a broader relationship spanning trade, security and geopolitical disputes. Perdue’s comments suggest Washington intends to keep pressure on Beijing over Iran while maintaining direct communication between Trump and Xi on areas of disagreement.