Trump warns China of ‘big problems’ over Iran weapons as Xi summit nears
President Donald Trump warned China it would face "big problems" if it supplies air defense systems to Tehran as Iran remains locked in a conflict with the United States and...
By Fox News · Fox News
President Donald Trump warned China it would face "big problems" if it supplies air defense systems to Tehran as Iran remains locked in a conflict with the United States and Israel. "If China does that, China is gonna have big problems, OK?" Trump told reporters Saturday. The warning comes as U.S. intelligence assessments indicate China may be preparing to supply, or already could have moved to supply, shoulder-fired air defense systems to Iran, according to multiple news reports reporting on intelligence assessments, though officials caution the information is not definitive and there is no evidence the weapons have been used against U.S. or Israeli forces. Trump’s warning also comes ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders expected to hold a summit in Beijing in May after it was postponed due to the ongoing conflict. The talks are likely to cover a range of issues, including trade tensions, Taiwan and the war involving Iran, placing additional pressure on U.S.-China relations as concerns mount over Beijing’s potential role in the conflict. TRUMP VOICES FRUSTRATION WITH NATO, SAYS IRANIAN NAVY ‘DESTROYED’ AS US PREPS FOR BLOCKADE The potential transfer of Chinese-supplied air defenses could increase risks to U.S. aircraft operating in the region, particularly low-flying missions already vulnerable to shoulder-fired missiles. China also has played a role in recent ceasefire efforts, pressing Iran to engage in talks with the United States and Israel through diplomatic outreach and coordination with regional partners, even as it denies providing military support to Tehran. Officials familiar with the intelligence say the systems in question include man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS, which are capable of targeting low-flying aircraft and have already posed a threat to U.S. assets in the region during the conflict. MANPADS are shoulder-fired, heat-seeking missiles designed to target low-flying aircraft. U.S. offi…