Trump's rare welcome for Xi as China's Iran dual role exposed

Donald Trump personally welcomed Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews, an unusual diplomatic gesture not seen since 1962, as the Chinese president arrived for a state visit. The move signaled a priority on relationship-building over confrontation, with the US announcing a two-month extension of the trade war pause. The welcoming tone contrasted with a Wall Street Journal investigation revealing China's dual role regarding Iran. The report detailed how Beijing publicly claimed to broker peace while simultaneously shipping electronics usable in drones and missile systems to Tehran, with around 1,300 such shipments in the first half of the year. China has also become Iran's sole major oil buyer, providing billions in revenue, and has aided with chemicals for ballistic missiles. Senator Elissa Slotkin urged Trump to confront Xi on this issue, though Trump previously dismissed concerns, saying both nations have acted reasonably.