Trump, Xi discuss trade, Iran and global issues in Beijing meeting

BEIJING: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held talks in Beijing on key global and trade issues, with discussions also covering the Iran situation and maritime security, the US president said.

Speaking after the meeting, Trump said the two sides had discussed a range of unresolved global and commercial issues and reached agreements on trade matters.

“We have made trade agreements with China,” Trump said.

He said he does not want Iran to possess nuclear weapons and reiterated Washington’s position on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

“I don’t want Iran to have nuclear weapons,” Trump said.

Trump also said the issue of the Strait of Hormuz was raised during the talks, adding that both Washington and Beijing want major shipping lanes to remain open.

“We want the Strait of Hormuz to remain open,” he said.

The U.S. president said he had also discussed Iran with Xi during the meeting, without providing further details.

Both countries, he added, share an interest in ensuring that key maritime routes remain open for global trade.