“That would be surprising. I mean, things like that happen, but that would be surprising. He (Xi) told me very strongly he wouldn’t partake. But he knows I’d be quite disappointed,” Trump told reporters.
His remarks come a day after Reuters reported that Iran could receive an initial shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile systems within weeks.
The proposed $60 million-$70 million deal reportedly covers between 300 and 400 QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air-defence systems.
The weapons are designed to target low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones and could help Tehran rebuild air defences damaged during the war with the US and Israel.
These could be shipped through air and land routes from western China through Pakistan.
China called the report “completely groundless”, while Pakistan denied any involvement in facilitating the transfer.
First Published: Jul 30, 2026 7:42 AM IST