President Donald Trump stated that China "spies on us" just as "we spy on them," following a report from The Wall Street Journal alleging that Chinese entities provided Iran with satellite imagery prior to a missile attack on July 17. That strike targeted Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members.
Trump made the remarks to reporters while aboard Air Force One, responding to questions about the report. "They basically do what we do," he said, when asked about the alleged Chinese involvement. He indicated that Chinese President Xi Jinping has "behaved reasonably well" and that the U.S. also "behave[s] reasonably well."
US officials cited in the Journal's report linked the satellite imagery to the Iranian attack, describing it as the most direct evidence to date that support from Chinese entities during the ongoing conflict had resulted in American casualties. The officials did not identify specific Chinese entities or directly accuse the Chinese government of involvement in the attack.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington on September 24 for a summit with President Trump. The White House had not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the report and Trump's statements.