Rubio: China, U.S. Agree Hormuz Should Not Be ‘Militarized’

President Donald Trump and top administration officials are touting several major developments emerging from the president’s high-profile summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The two-day summit has centered on trade, Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and the broader future of relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC that President Trump and Xi discussed the ongoing conflict involving Iran and growing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes for global energy supplies.

Rubio said both sides appeared to find common ground on several key issues involving Tehran.

“The Chinese side said they are not in favor of militarizing the Straits of Hormuz, and they’re not in favor of a tolling system, and that’s our position,” Rubio explained.

The secretary of state also emphasized that the Trump administration was not asking Beijing for assistance in dealing with Iran despite speculation ahead of the summit.

“We’re not asking for China’s help. We don’t need their help,” Rubio said.

Some observers had predicted President Trump might ask Xi to pressure Tehran into ending the confrontation involving the Strait of Hormuz or help broker broader negotiations tied to the conflict.

Instead, Rubio indicated President Trump made clear the United States intends to handle the situation independently while continuing diplomatic discussions with major global powers.

“We are not immune to global oil prices at some point, because we do buy from the global market, but other countries around the world are paying a much higher price,” Rubio said.

“They’ve got to get involved in this as well,” he added, referring broadly to international concerns surrounding energy markets.

Rubio also confirmed the summit included discussions about Taiwan and China’s longstanding position regarding “reunification” with the self-governing island.

Additionally, Rubio said President Trump raised concerns involving Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy media figure in Hong Kong who was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison following a controversial national security trial.

According to Rubio, President Trump and Xi also found agreement on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“What the president’s making clear is, if the Iranians think that they are going to use our domestic politics to pressure him into a bad deal, that’s not going to happen,” Rubio said.

Meanwhile, commentators are already analyzing the summit’s broader geopolitical impact, especially regarding Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking Thursday morning on Fox & Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade argued the growing cooperation between Washington and Beijing could weaken Putin’s geopolitical ambitions.

“It looks like he’s [Trump] saying, ‘We’re the two leaders, let’s find a way to get along.’ You know who’s having a really bad day and week or two weeks? Vladimir Putin,” Kilmeade said.

“I mean, not only is he beginning to lose the war in Ukraine, he’s seeing that special relationship supposed to realign the world go up in flames,” he continued.

“Because at the very least, if we’re just to look at the words of the leaders, they’re looking to work together,” Kilmeade added.

“Vladimir Putin’s hope was to get China on their side and work together as a junior partner and isolate us,” he said. “And I think that President Xi is saying, ‘well, that’s not gonna happen.’”

President Trump’s current trip marks his first official visit to China since 2017 and comes amid mounting tensions involving trade disputes, artificial intelligence competition, Taiwan, and fallout from the Iran conflict.

While the White House has framed the summit as an opportunity to secure stronger economic agreements and rebalance trade relations, analysts believe Beijing’s long-term strategic priorities extend far beyond short-term dealmaking.

Zongyuan Zoe Liu argued that President Trump is pursuing visible economic wins ahead of the midterm elections, while Xi is focused on long-term geopolitical positioning.

“Trump arrives seeking headline deals and visible momentum ahead of the midterms,” Liu wrote.

“Xi is playing a longer game, focused on strategic patience rather than substantive compromise.”

According to the White House, discussions during the summit are expected to include trade agreements, aerospace cooperation, agricultural purchases, energy partnerships, and possible creation of a U.S.-China Board of Trade and Board of Investment.

The summit continues as both nations attempt to navigate one of the most strategically sensitive relationships in the modern world while balancing economic competition, diplomacy, and global security concerns.