# Trump’s troubles with Iran could open the door to China

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trumps-troubles-with-iran-could-open-the-door-to-china/
- Published: 2026-11-03T13:13:50+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T20:41:25+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/nov/03/trump-iran-middle-east-china-gulf-hormuz-xi-jinping
- Topics: Asia, Middle East, Sport, World

## Key points

- China is courting Gulf leaders as US influence faces pressure.
- Xi’s diplomacy comes ahead of his expected meeting with Trump.
- Hormuz disruption threatens China’s energy supplies and wider economy.

## Summary

China has intensified diplomacy with Gulf leaders as the conflict involving Iran strains US influence and Donald Trump seeks a deal with Tehran. The outreach gives Xi Jinping a chance to present China as a regional peacemaker ahead of his expected meeting with Trump in November.

Xi met Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Saudi and Iranian officials. China buys about 90% of Iran’s crude exports, but cut its imports by 30% between April and June; the article says this helped limit oil price rises. Disruption to the Strait of Hormuz also threatens China’s energy supplies, while renewed US military action could alarm Beijing.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.