Trump needs China’s help fixing the global oil crisis. It’s unlikely to play along
Trump needs China’s help fixing the global oil crisis. It’s unlikely to play along
Just days ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned Beijing summit to address key US-China tensions, he has introduced an unexpected condition: securing the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this vital shipping route by Iran has disrupted 20% of global oil flow, causing price surges and anxiety over potential energy shortages that could destabilize the global economy. With the world grappling against its most severe oil crisis in recent history, Trump is now appealing to nations like France, Japan, and Britain to join efforts in ensuring the strait remains open.
Amid the escalating crisis, Trump has intensified pressure on China, seeking a response before his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In an interview with the Financial Times, he stated that China should be asked whether it will assist, threatening to postpone the summit without a clear commitment. “It’s only appropriate that those who benefit from the strait’s stability should help prevent disruptions,” Trump asserted. “China should also contribute.”
“The Chinese may say, ‘Okay, let’s just wait,’” Hofman of the National University of Singapore’s East Asian Institute remarked. “Their strategic security provides flexibility to hold back.”
China, however, is more resilient than its Asian counterparts to a sustained energy shortfall. Over recent years, Beijing has proactively mitigated oil supply risks through strategic reserve accumulation, import diversification, and substantial investments in renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and electric vehicle infrastructure. CNN noted that Iran is contemplating permitting oil tankers to pass through the strait in exchange for transactions in Chinese yuan, a move that could further weaken US influence in the region.
Within China, the conflict is met with a sense of schadenfreude, reflecting domestic relief over the situation. “Trump is lonely these days in the world, no one really supports him,” Wang of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization noted. “His actions in Iran have unsettled global stability, putting him in a difficult position.”
While state-controlled Chinese media on Sunday emphasized the need for closer US-China cooperation amidst global uncertainty, the nationalist Global Times criticized the proposal of deploying US warships to the Strait of Hormuz. The unnamed op-ed author questioned, “Is this truly about shared responsibility, or is it about distributing the risk of a war Washington initiated and cannot conclude?”
In a Monday press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian offered no definitive support for Trump’s request, reiterating the summit’s significance. “Head-of-state diplomacy is essential for guiding China-US relations,” Lin stated. “The two sides are in ongoing dialogue about Trump’s visit.”
Trump’s suggestion to delay the trip reflects his reduced leverage over Beijing, especially after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that his unilateral tariff actions exceeded presidential authority. His administration is now turning to alternative mechanisms to enforce similar measures. Meanwhile, Japan and Australia, among other US allies, have opted not to join the effort, further isolating Trump.
