Donald Trump issues chilling warning to China ahead of crunch visit | World | News
Donald Trump will hold talks with China’s President Xi Jinping next month (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump has made a major admission about China amid America’s ongoing war with Iran, while also appearing to issue a chilling warning to Beijing. The US President was speaking ahead of a visit to China next month, where he is expected to meet the country’s President Xi Jinping on May 14-15.
He has taken to Truth Social to claim China is “very happy” that he is permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz – despite tensions soaring between the two countries over recent days. Trump also claimed Beijing has agreed not to send weapons to Iran. As a result, the US President believes Xi “will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks”. However, while emphasising the US and China are “working smartly together” and “doesn’t that beat fighting”, he also appeared to send a chilling warning.
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Trump wrote on Truth Social: “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – And the World.
“This situation will never happen again. 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. We are working together smartly, and very well!
“Doesn’t that beat fighting? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to – far better than anyone else!!! President DJT.”
On Monday, China warned the US not to interfere with its ships in the Strait of Hormuz, insisting it will honour its trade and energy agreements with Iran.
Beijing said the blockade launched by Donald Trump does not serve global interests and urged all sides to avoid further conflict.
Sanctioned tanker Rich Starry pulls Strait of Hormuz U-turn AIS data shows Iran-linked Rich Starry (Image: Marine Traffic)
The US naval blockade began on Monday after peace talks between Washington and Tehran collapsed without a deal.
Yesterday, the Chinese tanker Rich Starry travelled through the Strait of Hormuz carrying around 250,000 barrels of methanol despite being under US sanctions.
The vessel, previously sanctioned for transporting Iranian crude oil, was one of two tankers to make a U-turn near the Strait before resuming its journey and was one of three Iran-linked ships to enter the Gulf after the blockade.
Wang Yi, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said: “Chinese ships continue to move in and out of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
“We have trade and energy agreements with Iran, which we will respect and abide by.
“We expect others not to interfere in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, and has opened it to us.”
Minister Wang Yi has said China will continue to respect trade and energy deals with Iran (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Panama-flagged Peace Gulf also passed through the waterway on its way to Hamriyah port after previously carrying Iranian naphtha for export to Asia.
All three vessels were allowed through because they were not heading to Iranian ports, while China branded the US blockade “dangerous and irresponsible”.
Iran has also vowed not to “surrender under threats” as tensions continue to rise.
According to Reuters, Donald Trump said he wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping asking him not to supply weapons to Iran.
Trump claimed Xi replied insisting China was not arming Tehran, although he did not say when the letters were exchanged.
Last week, Trump warned countries they could face immediate 50% tariffs if they supplied Iran with weapons.
