Trump says he warned Xi Jinping against giving weapons to Iran

In a recent interview, former US President Donald Trump revealed he directly communicated with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding concerns about China supplying weapons to Iran. Trump stated he sent a letter to Xi, urging him to cease such transfers, to which Xi reportedly replied that China was not fundamentally engaged in providing weapons to Iran. This exchange, conducted through written correspondence, highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics involving the US, China, and Iran, particularly in the context of escalating regional tensions.

The revelation comes shortly after reports suggested China might have provided Iran with portable air defense missiles. Trump had previously threatened a 50% tariff on China if such arms transfers were confirmed. China, through its embassy in Washington, has denied supplying weapons to either party in the conflict, though reports suggest China may be providing raw materials or components that can be repurposed for military use.

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I heard that China was giving weapons to Iran. So I wrote to him (Xi Jinping) and told him not to do that.

This diplomatic back-and-forth underscores the delicate balance of power and influence in international relations. While Trump's administration often adopted a confrontational stance towards China on trade and security issues, this instance shows a direct, albeit contentious, line of communication. The fact that such sensitive communications are revealed publicly suggests a strategic intent, possibly aimed at influencing perceptions or signaling resolve on the international stage. For observers in South Korea, this news is part of a broader pattern of great power competition that significantly impacts regional stability and security.

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He (Xi Jinping) wrote back to me, basically saying that he's not doing that.