May 15 - U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday that Chinese officials expressed a clear preference at the U.S.-China summit for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened without restrictions or tolls, and that Beijing plans to take a pragmatic approach to limit military support for Iran.
Speaking in a live interview for Bloomberg television from Beijing, where he took part in meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Greer described Chinas position on the waterway as unambiguous. "Its really important for China to have the Strait of Hormuz open, no tolling, no military control, and that was clear from the meeting. So we welcome that," he said.
On the question of Chinese involvement with Iran, Greer said Washingtons assessment is that Beijing is acting pragmatically. "With respect to Chinese involvement with Iran, our view is the Chinese are being very pragmatic, and they dont want to be on the wrong side of this," he added. "They want to see peace in that area. President Trump wants to see peace in that area. So we have a lot of confidence that they will do what they can to limit any kind of material support for Iran."
The remarks came in the context of high-level bilateral meetings in Beijing involving the two presidents, in which officials discussed regional security issues among other matters. Greers account emphasizes two central points that emerged from those discussions: a Chinese preference for an open Strait of Hormuz without tolls or military control, and a Chinese inclination toward pragmatic steps to avoid providing material military support to Iran.
Greer framed both positions as aligned with a broader objective of peace in the region. He characterized the Chinese stance as pragmatic and expressed U.S. confidence that China would act to limit material support for Iran. Beyond those statements, the interview did not elaborate specific steps Beijing would take or timelines for any actions.
Context and next steps
Greers comments provide a diplomatic snapshot following the leaders meetings, but they do not set out concrete measures or verification mechanisms. The statements indicate a mutual interest in stability in the area, while leaving open how the objective of an open, toll-free Strait and limits on material support would be implemented.