Trump needs China’s help fixing the global oil crisis. It’s unlikely to play along
Trump’s New Condition for US-China Talks: Securing the Strait of Hormuz
With just two weeks left until critical US-China discussions in Beijing, President Donald Trump has introduced a fresh demand: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This move places China in a precarious position, as the nation shows minimal urgency to comply with his requests. Iran’s recent blockade of the vital waterway has disrupted one-fifth of the global oil supply, sparking sharp increases in prices and fears of potential energy shortages that could destabilize the worldwide economy.
Trump is now appealing to allies like France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain to safeguard the strait. To convince China, he’s adding pressure by hinting that the summit with Xi Jinping might be postponed without a clear response. “It’s only appropriate that those who benefit from the strait’s stability should contribute to its security,” he stated in a Financial Times interview. “I believe China should assist as well.”
A Strategic Challenge for China
At first glance, Trump’s demand appears unusual. He’s asking China to expose its military resources in a conflict initiated by the US against a country aligned with Beijing. Yet, China is uniquely equipped to withstand prolonged energy disruptions. Over the past few years, Beijing has focused on building resilience by stockpiling oil, expanding import sources, and allocating substantial funds to renewable energy initiatives such as wind, solar, and electric vehicles.
CNN reported that Iran might allow certain tankers through the strait if oil transactions are conducted in Chinese yuan. Bert Hofman, a scholar at the National University of Singapore’s East Asian Institute, noted that China could afford to wait. “Given their strategic security, they have flexibility,” he remarked. Meanwhile, Trump faces domestic criticism over rising fuel costs as the conflict in Iran escalates.
Global Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions
Within China, the conflict has been met with a mix of amusement and scrutiny. Henry Huiyao Wang, leader of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, observed that Trump is “lonely these days in the world, no one really supports him.” The war in Iran, he added, has placed the US in a difficult position. However, China’s official state media urged greater cooperation, while the nationalist Global Times questioned the wisdom of sending US warships to the strait. “Is this truly about shared responsibility, or is it about shifting the burden of a war Washington cannot finish?” the op-ed asked.
Continued Negotiations and Legal Setbacks
During a Monday press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized the significance of the upcoming meeting without guaranteeing support for Trump’s request. “Head-of-state diplomacy is crucial for guiding China-US relations,” Lin said, reaffirming ongoing talks. Meanwhile, Reuters highlighted that economic officials from the US and China have engaged in multiple discussions in Paris about trade pacts in agriculture and key minerals.
Trump’s influence has been weakened by a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, which found his unilateral tariff actions exceeded his authority. His administration is now exploring alternative methods to enforce similar measures. “The US depends on China more than China relies on the US,” Wang remarked. Despite warnings to NATO about potential economic fallout, Japan and Australia have not committed to dispatching warships. China, a key ally of Iran and its largest oil buyer, has also condemned the attacks while criticizing Iranian strikes on neighboring states like Saudi Arabia.
