WASHINGTON, United States — U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Thursday during which both leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to safeguard global energy supplies, according to the White House.
The discussions came amid continuing disruptions in the strategically important waterway following the outbreak of conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel on February 28.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the White House said the two leaders agreed that “the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy.”
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies. Ongoing restrictions on shipping through the passage have raised fears of prolonged energy market instability and higher fuel prices worldwide.
China is among the countries most affected by disruptions in the Strait because of its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports. According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, more than half of China’s seaborne crude oil imports originate from the Middle East and typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House said Xi expressed interest in increasing purchases of American oil as part of efforts to reduce China’s dependence on energy shipments through the Gulf route. However, China’s official readout of the talks did not mention such discussions.
The meeting highlighted growing international concern over the economic impact of instability in the Gulf region, where tensions have intensified following months of military confrontation and shipping disruptions.
Global energy markets have remained volatile since the conflict escalated earlier this year, with governments and shipping companies monitoring security risks around the strait closely.
While energy security dominated the discussions, the White House statement did not mention whether the two leaders addressed Taiwan, a major source of tension in relations between Washington and Beijing.
Chinese state media earlier reported that Xi warned the Taiwan issue could trigger “conflict” between China and the United States if mishandled.
Taiwan remains a sensitive geopolitical issue, with Beijing claiming the self-governing island as part of its territory, while the United States maintains unofficial relations and military support for Taipei under longstanding policy commitments.
