diplomacySaturday, May 16, 20263 sources

Trump Claims Xi Agrees Iran Must Open Strait of Hormuz; China Calls War Unjust

On May 16, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Chinese leader Xi Jinping concurred with the demand that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz. The Jerusalem Post reported that China condemned the war as unjust, while The Straits Times and Reuters noted no indication China would take a stance on the conflict.

Donald Trump stated during a public address that Xi Jinping agreed that Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage through which a significant portion of the world's oil is transported. This claim was reported by The Straits Times, Reuters, and The Jerusalem Post. However, The Straits Times and Reuters did not mention China's position on the war, whereas The Jerusalem Post claimed China called the war unjust. The divergence in reporting highlights the lack of consensus among the outlets on China's involvement and stance.

Where Sources Diverge

The Straits Times and Reuters do not mention China's stance on the war, while The Jerusalem Post states that China called the war unjust.

straits-times

No sign China will weigh in

reuters

No sign China will weigh in

jpost

China calls war unjust

Timelines

Sources

WireReutersMay 16, 11:25 PM
Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, but no sign China will weigh in - Reuters

Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, but no sign China will weigh in  Reuters

IndependentStraits TimesMay 16, 06:33 PM
Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, but no sign China will weigh in - The Straits Times

Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, but no sign China will weigh in  The Straits Times

IndependentJerusalem PostMay 16, 01:27 PM
Donald Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open Strait of Hormuz, China calls war unjust - The Jerusalem Post

Donald Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open Strait of Hormuz, China calls war unjust  The Jerusalem Post