Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China is expected to quietly push Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Beijing has a major economic interest in restoring global energy flows.
Speaking to CNBC during President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, Bessent said China relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil and receives most of Iran’s crude exports.
According to the White House, Trump and Xi agreed the strategic waterway must remain open. The report said Xi also opposed any “militarization” of the strait or attempts to impose tolls on shipping traffic.
China will work behind the scenes to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Bessent says https://t.co/NSanngDOdS
— CNBC International (@CNBCi) May 14, 2026
Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz since March following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian leadership targets. The blockade disrupted nearly 20% of global crude oil flows and intensified energy market instability.
Bessent said China and other countries may now look increasingly toward U.S. oil and liquefied natural gas exports as more reliable energy alternatives.
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