China May Seek Taiwan Concessions for Iran Hormuz Help
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- US officials have urged China to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing blockade.
- Analysts warn Beijing would likely demand US concessions on Taiwan in exchange for any Chinese mediation to end the Hormuz crisis.
- China remains a major importer of Iranian oil, making the Hormuz blockade a strategic threat to its energy security and prompting it to consider involvement despite prior reluctance.
- President Trump is described as “chastened” by the Iran war and is seeking Chinese assistance to reopen the strait while also pressing Beijing to increase purchases of US soybeans.
- The Economist highlighted the US‑China tension on its cover with a Napoleon quote, underscoring the strategic stakes of the summit.
Why it matters: China gains leverage over Taiwan policy while the US may have to temper its Taiwan stance, risking regional security shifts; meanwhile Trump’s $20bn legal battle looms, diverting his focus from the summit.
