WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that China played an important role in developments concerning Iran, while also revealing plans to visit China again later this year.
Speaking at an event in the US state of Maryland, Trump said Beijing had been a significant factor in matters related to Iran. According to the US president, China purchases around half of Iran’s oil exports, making it an influential stakeholder in regional developments.
“China played an important role in the Iran issue,” Trump said, without elaborating on the specific nature of Beijing’s involvement.
The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising relations between Tehran and Washington following recent agreements intended to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Trump also announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the United States in September. He added that he intends to travel to China again sometime this year, signalling continued high-level engagement between the world’s two largest economies.
The US president did not provide details regarding the agenda of the planned visits, but his comments suggest that bilateral relations and regional security issues may remain key topics of discussion.
Addressing relations with Israel, Trump said the United States enjoys excellent ties with the country and described the relationship as one of the strongest partnerships in the region.
Separately, in an interview with a US-based website, Trump indicated that action against Cuba similar to measures previously taken against Venezuela remained a possibility.
Asked about the prospect of such a move, the president said it was “certainly possible” but clarified that no deadline or timeline had been established for any potential action.
Trump’s comments highlight Washington’s continued focus on geopolitical developments involving Iran, China, Israel and Cuba, as the administration pursues its foreign policy objectives across multiple regions.