Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng reiterated China’s opposition to U.S. policies toward Iran and Cuba during a Sept. 26 speech at the United Nations General Assembly, just one day after the conclusion of a high-level summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.
Key developments:
- China publicly challenged U.S. actions in the Middle East and Latin America, calling for the lifting of sanctions against Cuba and emphasizing respect for regional sovereignty, including in the Gulf.
- U.S. and China announced trade agreements during the summit, including commitments to reduce tariffs on $30 billion in goods and Chinese purchases of American coal and Boeing aircraft.
Trade agreements and diplomatic gestures
During the Sept. 25-26 state visit, Trump and Xi framed their discussions as a step toward stabilizing U.S.-China relations after years of trade tensions. The White House described the meeting as a success, highlighting agreements to ease economic frictions. China committed to purchasing at least 10 million metric tons of U.S. coal annually for the next two years and to address American concerns over rare earths and strategic minerals. The two sides also agreed to pursue a more favorable tariff regime for certain goods.
Contrasting stances on Iran and Cuba
Despite the cooperative tone, China’s U.N. remarks underscored fundamental differences with U.S. foreign policy. Han Zheng, speaking on behalf of the Chinese government, stated that “the sovereignty and security of countries in the Middle East, including the Gulf, should be respected”—a statement widely interpreted as a rebuke of U.S. pressure on Iran. He also urged the lifting of sanctions against Cuba, framing the issue as a matter of international law.
The U.S. position was articulated by Trump in his Sept. 22 U.N. speech, where he described Cuba as an “absolutely failed state” and accused it of collaborating with left-wing radicals in the U.S. He also warned that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapon and reiterated threats of military action if diplomatic efforts failed.
Diplomatic assurances and unresolved tensions
During the Washington summit, Trump warned Xi against providing support to Iran, according to U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad. Branstad stated that Xi gave assurances China would not back Iran militarily. However, China’s subsequent U.N. remarks suggested continued alignment with Iranian interests, particularly regarding regional security frameworks.
Broader implications for U.S.-China relations
Analysts cited in reports characterized the trade agreements as limited gestures that do not resolve deeper structural conflicts between the two nations. The trade deals—including tariff reductions and commodity purchases—were framed as confidence-building measures rather than substantive shifts in economic policy. The simultaneous diplomatic clashes over Iran and Cuba highlighted the persistent ideological and strategic divides between Washington and Beijing, despite efforts to present a unified front on trade.
The summit’s outcome underscored the dual-track nature of U.S.-China relations: economic cooperation on one hand, and geopolitical competition on issues like Iran and Cuba on the other.