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Trump courts Xi for Iran ceasefire but China’s priorities may block any US breakthrough
International
Published on 14 May 2026
Xi could nudge talks, yet refuse to cut Iran ties
President Donald Trump is set to ask Xi Jinping for help ending the Iran conflict during talks this week, but analysts expect Beijing to offer only limited support. China may encourage Iran to return to negotiations, while resisting any move that would jeopardize its key economic and military links with Tehran, including dual-use supplies. The US has pressure tools like sanctions, yet experts warn the costs and potential retaliation are too high.
- Trump plans to request Xi’s help to resolve the Iran conflict
- Analysts expect China to nudge negotiations, not cut Iran support
- Xi is unlikely to halt dual-use goods China supplies to Iran
- China wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened, tied to one-fifth of global oil supplies
- US sanctions on Chinese entities have had limited impact on trade flows
- Washington faces limited pressure options due to possible costly retaliation
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times