Trump Urged to Use Xi Summit to Curb China's Support for Iran

Six months after the U.S. launched its blockade against Iran, the Islamic Republic continues to project defiance, with its economy remaining resilient and its regional ambitions undeterred. This week, Iran escalated its activities, impacting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and supporting Houthi advances toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These actions have led to the seizure of the Yemeni port of Mokha and strategic Red Sea islands, threatening crucial shipping routes.

This ongoing situation presents a strategic embarrassment for the United States and its allies, as Iran's ability to dictate regional economic conditions undermines Western credibility. The continued threat of Iran's nuclear program, support for terrorism, and internal repression further elevates the urgency of addressing this challenge.

The New York Post opinion piece suggests that resolving this issue should be a top priority for President Donald Trump at his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24. The author asserts that China is a key enabler of Iran's defiance by providing crucial economic support.

According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Chinese purchases constitute approximately 90% of Iran's oil exports, allowing Tehran to circumvent sanctions and fund its Revolutionary Guards and regional proxies. While Iran's accessible oil stockpile has reportedly dwindled, China's continued purchasing has enabled the regime to maintain a facade of normalcy.

The piece argues that China's position as Iran's buyer of last resort is unsustainable and that diverging interests are emerging. China, while potentially benefiting from frustrating Washington, does not benefit long-term from chaos in the Persian Gulf, as Iran's control over maritime chokepoints threatens Chinese energy supplies from other Gulf states.

To address this, the author proposes that Trump should present Xi with three demands: a substantial and verifiable reduction in Chinese purchases of Iranian oil, pressure on Tehran to reopen Hormuz without discriminatory conditions, and an end to Chinese military assistance or mechanisms for evading sanctions.

The article suggests that Trump could offer Beijing conditional access to Venezuela's oil sector as a bargaining chip. A verified reduction in Iranian oil purchases could lead to licenses for Chinese companies to purchase Venezuelan crude, with further reductions potentially allowing for limited investment in Venezuela's energy infrastructure. These licenses, however, would be subject to strict conditions and reversibility, excluding sensitive sectors like telecommunications and security.

Such an arrangement, the author contends, would benefit Venezuela by providing capital, China by securing an energy source, and the United States by diminishing Iran's capacity to withstand international pressure. The article concludes by emphasizing that Trump has the opportunity to alter Iran's strategic calculus by engaging with China, the primary facilitator of its economic resilience.