Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that the U.S. and China have reached agreement on a key Middle East shipping issue, declaring both nations oppose militarizing the Strait of Hormuz and reject a tolling system for the critical waterway.
Rubio made the statement in Beijing after President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded more than two hours of talks at their summit. The secretary of state framed the alignment as a sign of shared strategic interests, though he emphasized the U.S. did not seek Chinese assistance in resolving the broader Iran crisis.
"We're not asking for China's help. We don't need their help," Rubio told NBC News. "Trump didn't ask him for anything." The remarks underscored Washington's approach to the military standoff that has disrupted global energy supplies and driven up gas prices worldwide.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most vital shipping routes. Iran's effective blockade has created significant economic pressure, with Rubio noting that while the U.S. buys from global markets and faces some impact, other nations are bearing much steeper costs. He suggested those countries have a responsibility to engage diplomatically on the matter.
The Iran conflict has consumed much of Trump's attention during the trip, forcing a six-week postponement of the summit. Though China maintains close relations with Iran, Rubio said the two leaders found common ground, particularly on the principle that Tehran should not develop nuclear weapons. Beijing's official readout of the talks made only a oblique reference to Iran, describing the leaders as having "exchanged views on major international and regional issues including the Middle East situation."
Earlier this week, Trump generated controversy by stating he was "not even a little bit" concerned about financial pressures Americans face as he negotiates with Iran. Rubio defended those comments, saying the president was signaling resolve against what he views as Iranian attempts to exploit domestic U.S. politics to extract concessions.
Taiwan emerged as another major topic. Xi warned Trump during the summit that mishandling the sensitive issue could trigger "clashes and even conflicts," according to Beijing's account. The U.S. maintains strategic ambiguity on whether it would directly defend the island militarily, while remaining its primary international backer and arms supplier.
Rubio rejected suggestions that policy has shifted, insisting positions remain consistent with past administrations. He noted that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan "did not feature prominently" in Thursday's discussions, despite Trump's history of raising the subject in transactional terms and voicing complaints about Taiwan's semiconductor industry.
The Trump administration delivered an $11 billion arms package to Taiwan in December, believed to be the largest ever provided. Taiwan faces constant military pressure from China, which deploys warplanes and naval vessels near the island almost daily.
Trump also pressed Xi on the case of Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old Hong Kong publisher convicted this year under the national security law and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Lai has become a symbol of Beijing's crackdown on dissent in the former British colony.
"The president always raises that case and a couple others, and obviously we'll hope to get a positive response from that," Rubio said. When asked whether Lai could relocate to the U.S. if freed, Rubio said Washington would be open to arrangements that secured Lai's freedom.
Notably, Rubio traveled to Beijing while under Chinese sanctions imposed in 2020 over his human rights criticism. China indicated the sanctions would not block his visit in his capacity as secretary of state, distinguishing between his prior work as a senator and his current role.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The Iran consensus signals real diplomatic movement, but the U.S. insistence on not needing Chinese help suggests Washington is playing down any reliance on Beijing's influence in the region."
Comments