President Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping offered assistance in brokering a deal with Iran during their high-stakes meeting in Beijing. In an exclusive interview airing tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel, Trump said, "He did offer. He said, ‘If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.' Xi also expressed interest in seeing the Strait of Hormuz open."
During their two-and-a-half-hour meeting, President Trump and his Chinese counterpart discussed Iran's nuclear ambitions and the critical global energy corridor known as the Strait of Hormuz. The president noted that China bought a significant amount of oil from Iran but emphasized that they did not stop the country's actions or halt them on behalf of the U.S.
Trump also addressed concerns raised by Xi regarding alleged efforts by Iran to impose costs on ships navigating through this important energy route. He stated, "He didn’t like the fact that they’re charging tolls," Trump said. "I don't know if they are or not, I don't know who would pay them. Where would the money go? The country is decimated."
In addition to Iran-related discussions, both leaders spoke about avoiding the so-called “Thucydides Trap.” President Xi Jinping told President Trump that China and the U.S. must answer whether they can avoid this trap during their high-stakes meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. According to a report from The Hill, "Xi asked if both countries can overcome the 'Thucydides Trap' and create a new paradigm of major country relations."
Tech CEOs including Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Tim Cook were among those attending the state banquet hosted by President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. The event highlighted the economic and diplomatic ties between China and the United States.
Both sides agreed that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for international trade to continue unhindered. However, tensions remain as China raised concerns about Taiwan during their discussions.
The two leaders are expected to meet again for a bilateral tea meeting on Friday morning local time at 11:40 a.m., with ongoing negotiations aimed at addressing these critical issues and avoiding potential conflicts between the world's two largest economies.
This article was produced by AVALW News on Thursday, May 14, 2026 based on reporting from 4 verified news sources. Our editorial process cross-references facts from multiple independent outlets to deliver accurate, comprehensive coverage. All original sources are linked below.