The United States has warned that closer ties between China and Iran could strain efforts to maintain stable relations between Washington and Beijing.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday that while the US is working to ensure economic stability with China, any involvement by Beijing in Iran that undermines American interests would complicate the relationship.
Speaking in an interview, Greer noted that the two countries’ economic systems have fundamentally different objectives but said there remains scope for cooperation.
“If China is going to be involved in Iran in a way that’s harmful to US interests, then that obviously complicates it,” he said, adding that it is Beijing’s responsibility to avoid such actions.
Greer also expressed optimism about an upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, expected to take place next month.
The anticipated talks come a year after Washington introduced sweeping global tariffs, which disrupted international trade and heightened tensions with several partners, including China.
Despite efforts to stabilise ties, Greer acknowledged that significant challenges remain unresolved between the two global powers, particularly in trade and economic policy.