Reuters reported that a war involving Iran would be one of the issues discussed in Donald Trump, the president of the United States’ September 24 meeting with Xi Jinping, the president of China, in Washington; a meeting that also covers the economic, trade and security differences between the two powers.

China is Iran’s largest buyer of oil. Washington considers Xi to have significant leverage to pressure the Islamic Republic, but China’s leader has so far shown little inclination to use this influence in line with America’s wishes.

So far, the Trump administration has avoided directly targeting Chinese banks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned about continued trade with Tehran, but he has not sanctioned Chinese banks.

Trump has downplayed a report he received with images of a base in Jordan from Chinese entities provided by the Islamic Republic. Bessent said Trump and Xi will also examine China’s financial ties with Tehran.

The Iran file could be part of broader negotiations between Washington and Beijing; the two countries also differ over tariffs, trade, technology, rare minerals, and Taiwan.