President Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping that Chinese support for Iran was 'totally unacceptable,' according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, who described the exchange as taking place during a call between the two leaders.
According to Reuters and the Washington Examiner, Xi gave Trump assurances in response, with the Washington Examiner reporting that Xi specifically said he would cease aid to Iran, according to Perdue.
Axios reported that the exchange occurred during Trump's state visit, and that Trump asked Xi to halt any assistance to Iran. Axios also reported that U.S. officials have been concerned since the start of the war that China is supplying Iran with air defense systems, though this detail was not confirmed by other outlets.
Axios framed the request within a broader U.S. economic pressure campaign against Iran, noting that Chinese support has undermined efforts to isolate the country and that the pressure campaign would be only partially effective without Chinese cooperation.
Separately, Newsmax reported that Senator Ted Cruz accused China of aiding Iran around the same time as the Trump-Xi meeting, a claim reported only by that outlet.
How each side covered it
Left
- CBS News and ABC News Australia both led with the U.S. ambassador's characterization of Trump calling Chinese aid to Iran 'totally unacceptable.'
- These outlets framed the story primarily around the direct quote attributed to the U.S. ambassador to China.
“Trump told Xi that aiding Iran was totally unacceptable, U.S. ambassador to China says” — CBS News
Center
- Reuters reported that Trump warned Xi over Chinese support for Iran and received assurances from him, citing the U.S. envoy.
- Axios detailed that Trump asked Xi to halt assistance to Iran during his state visit, per Ambassador David Perdue.
- Axios emphasized that China's economic, intelligence and military support undermines Trump's isolation campaign against Iran.
- The Times of India highlighted the 'totally unacceptable' phrase and framed the exchange as Trump and Xi discussing China 'helping Iran.'
“Trump warns Xi over Chinese support for Iran, receives assurances, US envoy says” — Reuters
Right
- New York Post and Washington Examiner reported the ambassador's claim that Xi assured Trump he would stop aiding Iran.
- The Telegraph framed the story as Trump directly asking Xi to stop helping Iran.
- Newsmax connected the story to Senator Cruz publicly accusing China of aiding Iran around the time of the Trump-Xi meeting.
“Xi assured Trump he would cease aid to Iran, US ambassador to China claims” — Washington Examiner
Questions readers ask
What did Trump tell Xi about Iran?
According to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, President Trump told President Xi Jinping that Chinese support for Iran was 'totally unacceptable.'
Did Xi respond to Trump's concerns?
Reuters and the Washington Examiner reported that Xi gave Trump assurances; the Washington Examiner specified that Xi said he would stop aiding Iran, according to Perdue.
Why does China's support for Iran matter to the US?
Axios reported that China's economic, intelligence and military support for Iran has undermined the Trump administration's effort to isolate Iran through an economic pressure campaign.
What did Senator Ted Cruz say about China and Iran?
According to Newsmax, Senator Ted Cruz accused China of aiding Iran around the time President Trump met with President Xi Jinping.
How did coverage differ across outlets?
Left- and center-leaning outlets and most right-leaning outlets focused on Perdue's account of Trump's warning to Xi, while Axios added context about a broader U.S. pressure campaign on Iran, and Newsmax highlighted Cruz's separate accusation against China.
Sources · 13 outlet reports
- ABC News (Australia)Left-leaningTrump told Xi helping Iran is unacceptable, US ambassador says
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningTrump told Xi that aiding Iran was totally unacceptable, U.S. ambassador to China says
- Arab NewsCenterTrump warns Xi over Chinese support for Iran, receives assurances
- AxiosCenterTrump asked Xi to stop supporting Iran
- ReutersCenterTrump warns Xi over Chinese support for Iran, receives assurances, US envoy says
- The Straits TimesCenterTrump, Xi discuss Middle East war as Iran presses 7-day plan to end fighting
- The Times of IndiaCenter‘Totally unacceptable’: Trump, Xi talked about China 'helping Iran', says US envoy
- BreitbartRight-leaningU.S. Amb. to China: China’s Had ‘Movement’ on Stopping Iran Aid, They Said They Aren’t Helping
- New York PostRight-leaningTrump told China’s Xi that support for Iran was ‘totally unacceptable’: US ambassador
- NewsmaxRight-leaningTrump Told Xi That China Helping Iran Is Unacceptable, US Ambassador Says
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningDonald Trump tells Xi that China helping Iran is unacceptable
- The TelegraphRight-leaningTrump asks Xi to stop helping Iran
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningXi assured Trump he would cease aid to Iran, US ambassador to China claims