China, US Navigate Growing Global Tensions: Iran, Taiwan And Hormuz Dominate Summit | GRAVITAS

Added: 2026-05-15

[00:00:00]The last time Trump visited China was way back in 2017. A lot has changed since then. But will this visit be a game-changer in any way?

[00:00:10]A lot needs to happen for that. For now, a lot is riding on the discussions between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at a time when the Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz, and the tensions over Taiwan are dominating the global agenda.

[00:00:24]When the two leaders posed for the cameras, Xi Jinping appeared composed, also steady, perhaps a reflection of his long tenure in power.

[00:00:34]Donald Trump, meanwhile, showed visible shifts in expression. He twitched, even grimaced during the photo op.

[00:00:43]Donald Trump, who is generally accustomed to eating um McDonald's, is being forced to expand his palate as well at tonight's state banquet in Beijing. The menu, including lobster in tomato soup, crispy beef ribs, Beijing roast duck, stewed seasonal vegetables, slow-cooked salmon in mustard sauce, and also trumpet-shell-shaped pastries, just to name a few.

[00:01:07]As the dinner gap between the two leaders went smoothly, there was little when it came to actual substance. What was on the menu, really?

[00:01:15]The first day of talks between the two sides appeared cordial, with both the leaders emphasizing cooperation and stability in the relationship. At that state banquet inside the Great Hall of the People, Xi Jinping said the relationship, in fact, is the most important in the world today, saying both countries must make it work and never mess it up.

[00:01:36]He also said China's rejuvenation and Trump's Make America Great Again vision could go hand in hand.

[00:01:44]Take a listen in.

[00:01:47]The people of China and the United States are both great peoples. Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can absolutely go hand in hand, help each other succeed, and advance the well-being of the whole world.

[00:02:05]US President Donald Trump struck a notably warm tone when it comes to the ties with China, calling the US-China relationship one of the most consequential in world history. Trump highlighted cultural and economic links between the two countries, using Chinese food in America as a symbol of deep people-to-people ties.

[00:02:24]As allies in World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt's mentions of the brave people of China, that's what they were, drew loud cheers in his speeches in the United States, and everybody loved what he had to say. Just as many Chinese now love basketball and blue jeans, Chinese restaurants in America today outnumber the five largest fast-food chains in the United States all combined. That's a pretty big statement.

[00:02:54]But behind the diplomatic optics, the smiles, the praise, the Iran war, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the discussions and also overall that visit.

[00:03:06]According to a White House readout, Trump and Xi agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain a free waterway, and that Iran should not be able to impose payments or restrictions on global shipping through the strait.

[00:03:21]The issue has taken on greater urgency now after Iran closed the strait following the US-Israel strikes disrupting global energy supplies and impacting oil and gas shipments around the world, sending out those ripple waves that we've been talking about.

[00:03:35]Trump, meanwhile, has been pursuing to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for international shipping, while simultaneously maintaining a strict US naval blockade specifically against Iranian vessels.

[00:03:50]Hormuz currently reeling between Iran's control and the US blockade.

[00:03:55]In fact, on X, the White House posted an image from the meeting between the two countries. In its post, the White House claims that China has strongly opposed the militarization in the Hormuz Strait and agrees with the US that both Iran uh in fact, that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons. So, that's the crucial takeaway as well. The visit also coming amid differences within the Trump administration over how China should actually respond to the crisis. Before the two leaders even sat down to toast the relationship between the two sides, the US Secretary of State called on Beijing to take a more active role in stabilizing the region and helping restore normal shipping through the strait.

[00:04:40]Not just that, he urged Beijing to assert diplomatic pressure on Iran at the United Nations. Here's what he said.

[00:04:47]He did and and and and it was important because the the the Chinese side said they are not in favor of militarizing the Straits of Hormuz and they're not in favor of a tolling system. And that's our position.

[00:05:00]At the same time, confidential US intelligence assessment has raised concerns about China's role during the conflict. According to the report, China has used the Iran war to expand its military, economic, and diplomatic advantage over the United States.

[00:05:17]The report claims Chinese companies discussed sending weapons to Iran through third countries to hide their origin while China also sold weapons to the US allies in the Persian Gulf reportedly as they faced Iranian missile and drone attacks.

[00:05:33]The assessment also saying China helped countries deal with energy shortages after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global supplies.

[00:05:42]US officials believe the war has also provided Beijing an opportunity to study American military operations, including how America deploys resources and responds to regional conflicts.

[00:05:55]Not just that, the report notes that the conflict has drained US munition stockpiles and damaged military hardware and facilities across West Asia.

[00:06:05]Taiwan also emerged as a key issue, of course, during that visit so far. While Trump did not publicly comment on Taiwan, very interestingly, China's official readout said Xi Jinping warned that the issue could push the US-China relationship down a dangerous path and even lead to conflict.

[00:06:24]Remember, Xi Jinping had called the Taiwan issue the most important in this relationship and urged the US side to exercise extra caution in handling the Taiwan question. The Chinese leader also warning that the conflict between China and America could break out if the issue is mishandled.

[00:06:45]So, that's a red line by Xi Jinping, clearly. Rubio, meanwhile, cautioned that any Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan by force will be a terrible mistake. The US reportedly said this while asserting that Washington's policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged.

[00:07:01]Trump has also invited Xi Jinping to visit the White House in September.

[00:07:05]However, it's not yet clear whether the Chinese leader has accepted that invitation. To stay up-to-speed with the latest news, download the WION app and subscribe to our YouTube channel.