Trump Urged to Warn Xi Against 'Dangerous Alliance' With Iran

President Donald Trump is being urged to warn Chinese President Xi Jinping against what an expert calls a "dangerous alliance" between China and Iran when the two leaders meet at the White House.

Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Trump needs to make clear to Xi that Chinese assistance to the Iranian regime spans multiple fronts, including providing drone parts and motors that have aided Iran in attacking its neighbors.

Schanzer also stated that China has supplied dual-use chemicals that bolster Iran's missile program. He suggested that the precision of some Iranian attacks may also indicate Chinese involvement.

"The Chinese assistance to the Iranian regime has actually spanned a number of fronts," Schanzer said. "The first is, of course, the provision of drone parts and motors. This has actually helped the Islamic Republic attack all of its neighbors."

He added that an economic relationship between China and Iran is helping to sustain the Iranian regime, which he contends is disrupting the global oil economy and potentially threatening shipping lanes. "The hope here is, of course, that Donald Trump is going to make a demand here that Xi Jinping stop all of this," Schanzer said.

Schanzer's remarks come after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, during talks in Beijing that China was ready to play a "constructive role" in resolving international disputes.

"When you look at what's happening here, it's pretty clear that the Chinese government is just not ashamed of this at all," Schanzer commented on the meeting between the two foreign ministers. "In other words, there's a war going on. The Iranians have spiked the price of oil. They have clogged the Strait of Hormuz. They're looking to do the same in the Bab al-Mandab, and they are completely unashamed by this."

Schanzer emphasized the need for Trump to "bare his teeth" and make it clear that Iran cannot continue to receive such support without risk of further escalation with the United States.

A senior administration official noted that during Trump's previous visit to China in mid-May, both he and Xi agreed that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened without tolls.

Looking ahead to the broader context of the meeting, Schanzer highlighted the ongoing great power competition between the U.S. and China. He identified Taiwan as a key focus for China and stressed the U.S. need to maintain its interests there, particularly concerning the Taiwan Semiconductor Company, which he views as critical for winning the artificial intelligence race and ensuring the island's security.