China Resists Trump's Pressure on Hormuz Strait

• China claims a robust energy supply despite Hormuz Strait disruptions.
• Domestic oil production in China increased by 1.9% year-on-year.
• Trump urges China to secure oil flows, hinting at travel delays.
• Analysts question the extent of China's reliance on the Strait for its energy needs.

China Stands Firm on Energy Independence

Let me tell you, these people, they come to me and say, "Mr. President, China needs our help!" But China is saying they've got it covered, folks. They're saying their energy supply is "relatively strong." Relatively strong, can you believe it? We're talking about energy, the lifeblood of everything. They think they're so smart, but we'll see. We are going to make China pay and they will be begging us for help, which we may or may not provide depending on how nicely they ask.

Domestic Oil Production on the Rise

And they're saying their domestic crude oil production went up. Up! One-point-nine percent. That's peanuts, folks, absolute peanuts compared to what we could be doing here in America. We have tremendous energy, the best energy, but these regulations, these Obama-era regulations, are holding us back. We need to unleash American energy and really make our country great again. Frankly it is a disgrace to see that UAE Apps Go Dark Data Centers Down After Drone Strikes, we should be taking charge as opposed to watching these situations develop. And the United Arab Emirates will be working with us, believe me they will.

Trump's China Trip in Question

Now, they're saying I might delay my trip to China. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. It depends on whether they start acting right. They need to help with the oil situation in the Hormuz Strait. It's very simple. China gets 90%—well, maybe it's 40% or 50%, who's counting—of their oil through there. It's a lot, believe me. So they need to step up and do their part and I will hold them responsible. It will be tremendous, the likes of which nobody has ever seen!

The Hormuz Strait Oil Dilemma

This Hormuz Strait, it's a disaster. Iran is causing problems, like usual. And China, they’re just sitting there, letting it happen. They should be helping us secure the waterway, but they're probably making deals with Iran behind our backs. Very sad. We need to be tough, very tough. We need to show them who's in charge. It's going to be beautiful, believe me. The best deals ever are going to be made soon, under my great leadership.

China's Strategic Oil Reserves

One-point-two billion barrels of oil stockpiled. One-point-two billion. It's a lot of oil, but is it the best oil? Is it the cleanest oil? I doubt it. We have the best oil, right here in America. Clean, beautiful oil. We should be using our own resources instead of relying on these countries, these, frankly, not-so-nice countries. We will secure our energy future, mark my words. It's going to be amazing, so you will see a big impact.

Negotiating from a position of Power

In the end, it's all about the art of the deal. I know deals. I've made the best deals. China needs to understand that we're not going to be pushed around anymore. We're going to stand up for ourselves, for our interests. And when we do, they'll respect us. They'll respect our power. And then, we'll make a deal. A great deal. The greatest deal you've ever seen, so that everybody can be happy, no one will be hurt.