The Trump-Xi accord on Iran remains elusive as the US president's China trip winds down, despite his claims of shared views on ending the war. While Trump and Xi discussed Iran, with Trump emphasizing their 'similar' desires to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, the details of any potential breakthrough remain vague. The US is exerting pressure on China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, to leverage its influence with Iran. However, China's willingness to accede to this pressure is uncertain, as many in Beijing perceive the crisis as not being their responsibility. The US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, suggests China doesn't want to be on the 'wrong side' on the Iran issue, while the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, initially sought China's support in getting Iran to 'walk away' from its activities in the Persian Gulf. Yet, Rubio later downplayed the idea of US reliance on China's help. The Chinese foreign ministry calls for a ceasefire in Iran and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, recognizing the economic significance of the waterway for China. The White House readout of Trump and Xi's talks highlights their agreement on the Strait of Hormuz's importance for energy flow and China's opposition to its militarization. However, Trump's remarks about Iran's enriched uranium being more for 'public relations' than substance have raised eyebrows. The Chinese readout of the meeting was more concise, focusing on 'constructive strategic stability' and 'harmony without uniformity'. Trump's visit to China has been marked by a mix of trade deals and diplomatic gestures, but concrete agreements on key issues like Taiwan remain elusive. Experts like Julian Gewirtz and Wu Xinbo suggest that the US-China relationship is shifting towards greater parity, with China aiming to maintain the current strategic stalemate. The unpredictability of Trump's statements and the thinner crowds at his hotel on the final day of his trip further underscore the complexities of the US-China relationship.
