China shows interest in US oil after Trump-Xi talks on Iran and Strait of Hormuz

According to a White House readout, Trump and Xi agreed that the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened to support global energy needs. The waterway has effectively remained closed since the start of the US and Israel conflict with Iran.

In Short

• China may buy more US oil to cut Gulf reliance
• Trump and Xi want Strait of Hormuz reopened
• Xi opposes tolls on ships in the strait

China may buy more oil from the US in the future as it looks to reduce its dependence on Gulf supplies, according to a White House official after talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The issue came up during a meeting on Thursday, where both leaders also discussed Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

TRUMP, XI DISCUSS REOPENING STRAIT OF HORMUZ

According to a White House readout, Trump and Xi agreed that the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened to support global energy needs. The waterway has effectively remained closed since the start of the US and Israel conflict with Iran.

Xi also opposed any move to impose tolls on ships passing through the strait, the White House official said.

The discussion around the Strait of Hormuz comes at a time when concerns over energy supply and shipping routes have grown due to rising tensions in the region.

CHINA SHOWS INTEREST IN MORE US OIL

Xi showed interest in China buying more oil from the US to reduce its future reliance on Gulf oil, the official said, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to comment publicly.

The two leaders also discussed steps to reduce the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the US and increasing Chinese purchases of American agricultural products.

Thursday marked the first day of a two-day summit in Beijing, which Chinese state media said is expected to shape a new direction in ties between the two countries.

China has not imported oil from the US since May 2025 after a 20% tariff was imposed during the trade war. Any major restart in purchases would likely require those duties to be removed.

Even when imports were at their highest, the US was never a major supplier of crude oil to China, the world’s biggest oil importer.

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