Trump, China’s Xi wrap up summit, agree on Hormuz shipping

U.S. President Donald Trump left China on Friday after two days of talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meetings wrapped up without the announcement of any major formal initiatives or breakthroughs, though the two leaders continued to praise each other. Trump told reporters while flying back on Air Force One that it was a great couple of days. Xi characterized the visit as a historic milestone. 

Did they come to any agreements regarding Iran? Trump and Xi agreed that the Strait of Hormuz, the international trade route blocked due to the Iran War, needs to stay open for oil shipping. Trump said he and Xi feel similarly about Iran—they both don’t want the Middle East country to have nuclear weapons. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman echoed Trump’s remarks. 

What did the two leaders say about Taiwan? Trump said he had yet to determine whether a U.S. sale of arms to Taiwan could move forward. Trump said he heard Xi out as the Chinese leader expressed opposition to Taiwan’s independence. However, Trump said he didn’t respond to Xi’s remarks. Xi warned Trump on Thursday that a mishandling of Taiwan could lead to clashes between the United States and China. But on Friday, Trump told reporters that there was no risk for conflict and that the United States would be fine.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized to NBC News on Thursday that U.S. policy toward Taiwan was unchanged, cautioning that it would be a mistake for China to try to take Taiwan by force. 

Were any trade deals made? Trump said the two leaders made several trade deals, including the sale of several hundred Boeing planes to China. The country last bought Boeing planes in 2017. However, China’s spokesman was noncommittal in response to questions about the deal. Instead, the spokesman remarked that trade ties between the two countries were mutually beneficial and a win-win. 

What about the release of political prisoners? Trump said Xi was giving serious consideration to the release of  Mingri “Ezra” Jin, a pastor of the underground Zion Church, who was arrested in October along with nearly 20 other pastors and church members.

However, he said the release of Jimmy Lai, a former pro-democracy media publisher, was tougher. China’s spokesman said the country’s position on Lai was clear. He was the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind a series of riots, the spokesman said. The U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week passed a resolution calling for Lai’s release.

Dig deeper: Read Jenny Lind Schmitt’s interview with Grace Jin Drexel about China’s fear of Christians and her father’s imprisonment.