Pillsbury Defends Trump-Xi Talks, Warns Against China’s ‘Lying, Cheating and Stealing’

President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help address the conflict involving Iran, while stressing that both leaders oppose Tehran obtaining a nuclear weapon and want the Strait of Hormuz to remain open.

Speaking about recent discussions with Xi, Trump said the two leaders shared concerns over the strategic waterway and regional stability.

“We discussed Iran, we don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon. We want the strait open,” Trump said, adding that the United States wants maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to continue uninterrupted.

Market attention has increasingly focused on the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping activity has slowed amid tensions and a reported naval blockade affecting Iranian oil exports. According to remarks discussed during the segment, 13 vessels had crossed the strait since Wednesday while oil prices climbed to $103 per barrel.

Iran’s main oil export hub at Kharg Island was described as nearing storage capacity, with tanks reportedly reaching 85% full compared to a normal level of around 80%. The situation has raised concerns that Iran may soon be forced to reduce production.

The United Arab Emirates was also highlighted as increasing production capacity and accelerating energy infrastructure projects, including expansion of a pipeline connecting Abu Dhabi oilfields to the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz. The moves were described as part of efforts to reduce regional dependence on Iranian routes and production.

Trump also suggested China could eventually purchase more oil from the United States, though he acknowledged no agreement has been finalized.

The president said he had not requested specific assistance from Xi regarding Iran.

“When you ask for favors you have to do favors in return,” Trump said. “We don’t need favors.”

He added that China has a strong interest in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open because roughly 40% of its energy imports pass through the waterway, while the United States receives none through that route.

China expert Michael Pillsbury said he believes Xi is willing to cooperate with Washington “within certain limits,” and argued Trump is returning to the foreign policy approach of former Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan by pursuing cooperation with China while remaining cautious.

Pillsbury said U.S. leaders must recognize what he described as China’s history of “lying, cheating and stealing,” even while seeking areas of mutual interest.

He also defended Trump’s handling of the summit discussions, arguing that outside commentary and leaked reports were distorting the president’s message. Pillsbury criticized reports about potential large-scale aircraft sales and Chinese investment commitments, saying speculation surrounding unconfirmed details had affected markets prematurely.

According to Pillsbury, one of the most significant outcomes of the talks involved Trump’s comments on Taiwan.

Pillsbury pointed to Trump’s remarks that he would not “go 9500 miles to defend a country that declares independence,” describing the statement as a major shift from previous rhetoric suggesting the United States would defend Taiwan militarily if necessary.

He argued that the president’s comments represented “a whole new China policy” and said several major policy positions appeared to have changed following the summit discussions with Xi.