WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping during candid talks at the White House that any Chinese assistance to Iran would be unacceptable, US Ambassador to China David Perdue said on Friday.
Speaking to CNBC, Perdue said the United States had already made clear to China in recent weeks that any assistance to Iran, whether direct or indirect, would not be accepted by Washington.
He said the warning covered various forms of support, including intelligence, parts and military equipment.
“President Trump made that very clear again yesterday,” Perdue said, describing the message as part of an ongoing US effort to communicate its position to Beijing.
The ambassador said Trump and Xi had held a “very candid and open conversation” and were beginning to develop a relationship based on a degree of trust while addressing difficult issues between their countries.
Perdue added that the two leaders’ discussions were becoming more direct and detailed as they continued to engage on major international and bilateral issues.