Speaking to reporters on March 15 aboard Air Force One, on his way back to Washington from Mar a Lago, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he could cancel his visit to China, scheduled for the end of March, if China does not agree to send ships to help open the Gulf of Hormuz to international traffic. China, a close ally of Iran, has less interest than any other country in getting involved in President Trump’s war on Iran.
Asked about President Trump’s new pressure at the March 16 Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian simply referred to a previous answer where he had reiterated China’s position, saying: “The recent tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby has impacted the route for international goods and energy trade, disrupting peace and stability in the region and beyond. China once again calls on parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from further impacting the global economy.”
If that were not enough, the two days of trade talks between the U.S. and China in Paris have also proved something of an obstacle to a successful U.S.-China summit. A central concern for China are the U.S.-initiated unilateral “U.S. Section 301” trade investigations into China’s alleged use of “forced labor.” The Chinese side protested these measures during the course of the meeting. Judging from the statements of the Chinese side after the meeting, this issue was not resolved in the meeting.
