Trump Takes Action: If Beijing Fails to Act, the Trump-Xi Meeting May Be Delayed

The humorous song "Trump Trump, I'm So Sad". (Video Screenshot)

[People News] Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, and Chinese state media is currently highlighting that many countries are suffering from oil shortages, as this strait is a crucial waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's crude oil is transported. The global market is closely monitoring how U.S. President Trump will swiftly conclude military actions against Iran. On March 15, Trump stated that if Beijing does not assist in facilitating crude oil transportation through the Strait of Hormuz, he may postpone the summit originally scheduled with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.

China Must Provide Assistance, or the Trump-Xi Meeting Will Be Delayed

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump remarked, "The beneficiaries of the (Hormuz) Strait should help ensure that nothing adverse occurs there." He underscored China's reliance on Middle Eastern oil, stating, "I believe China should also provide assistance, as 90% of China's oil comes from the Strait of Hormuz."

The President further expressed his hope to understand Beijing's stance before the U.S.-China summit later this month. "We hope to know before that. Two weeks is too long." Otherwise, "we may delay (the visit to China)." However, he did not specify the duration of any potential delay.

What steps should Xi Jinping take to suggest a Xi-Trump meeting? It is crucial to recognise that the Chinese economy is currently facing a downturn, industries are struggling, and the populace is finding it hard to make ends meet. A meeting between Xi and Trump could bolster Xi Jinping's standing during this precarious period for both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Xi himself, which is why CPC officials are emphasising the importance of ensuring Trump's timely visit to Beijing. To facilitate this, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in Paris on Sunday for initial discussions aimed at addressing concerns surrounding the U.S.-China trade truce and laying the groundwork for Trump's visit to Beijing to meet with Xi at the end of March.

China's oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz is significant.

As reported by The Epoch Times, China is the largest consumer of oil that transits through the Strait of Hormuz. Although Beijing has condemned Trump's military actions against Iran, there are few indications that it will withdraw from the Xi-Trump meeting, as Beijing is keen on stabilising its relationship with the United States.

On Sunday evening, Trump, while returning from Florida aboard Air Force One, told reporters that given the enormous volume of oil transported by China through the Strait of Hormuz (which constitutes one-fifth of the global oil supply), China represents a 'case worth studying.'

When asked if Beijing would agree to help maintain security in the Strait, Trump responded, 'Maybe they will, maybe they won't.' He also expressed his ongoing scepticism, stating, 'The Strait of Hormuz essentially serves China and many other countries; why should we be responsible for its security?'

Trump stated that the U.S. government has reached out to seven countries to seek assistance in ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, but he declined to reveal whether any of these countries agreed to help. "I asked these countries to step up and protect their own territory," Trump remarked. "You could even argue that we shouldn't be there at all since we don't need it. We already have plenty of oil."

He also issued a warning to countries that refuse to assist in maintaining the security of the Strait of Hormuz: "We will remember."

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by over 90%.

As reported by the BBC, the Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. In past Middle Eastern conflicts, there has been speculation about whether Iran would take such drastic measures. Following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei, Iran has opted to block the Strait. Approximately 20 million barrels of oil, which accounts for about 20% of global consumption, are used to pass through this route daily. According to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence in the UK, only 77 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz from March 1 to 13, marking a year-on-year decline of over 90%. The closure of this critical shipping route has led to a visible spike in oil prices, but the deeper ramifications are reflected in the energy bills and policy challenges faced by various nations.

Japan relies on the Middle East for nearly 96% of its crude oil, while South Korea's dependence exceeds 70%. Both countries may soon find themselves without Middle Eastern crude oil arriving at their ports, compelling them to activate their strategic reserves. In contrast, China quietly completed its preparations before the conflict erupted—during the first two months of this year, China's crude oil imports rose by 15.8% compared to the previous year, with a significant amount entering the national reserves.

Reports from Hong Kong media indicate that shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has recently plummeted dramatically, with a year-on-year decline exceeding 90%. The United Nations has issued an urgent warning, stating that this situation will directly affect global food and oil prices, potentially triggering a chain reaction in the economy.

There is a call for other countries to provide minesweepers and other equipment to counter drones and underwater mines.

On Saturday, Trump urged nations to send warships to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open. He expressed hope that countries such as China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would send vessels to the region. Officials from the Trump administration noted that they are collaborating with allies, including the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Japan, to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

On Sunday, when asked about the specific assistance he was seeking, Trump told the Financial Times that it might include minesweepers and other military equipment to combat drones and underwater mines.

According to the Financial Times, while discussing the Iranian military, Trump stated: 'We are hitting them hard. They have run out of options except to cause some trouble in the Strait... The countries that rely on oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz are the beneficiaries, and they should assist us in maintaining order in the Strait.'

More than two weeks ago, following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically transits through this narrow waterway located between Iran and Oman.

Trump further warned Iran that the U.S. military might conduct additional strikes on Kharg Island, the primary oil export hub for Iran, and indicated that if needed, the U.S. could target its oil infrastructure.

"We can destroy it in five minutes," he stated, adding, "They are powerless to respond to this."

On Friday, the U.S. military executed a large-scale airstrike, successfully destroying more than 90 military targets on Kharg Island.△