Trump threatens 50% tariffs on China as report suggests plans for arms shipment to Iran

US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 50% tariffs on China on Sunday after a report emerged that Beijing was preparing to ship new air defense systems to Iran.

“I hear reports that China is donating [Iran] shoulder missiles… shoulder missile, what is called anti-aircraft missile. I doubt they’ll do this… but if we catch them doing it, they get charged a 50% duty, which is a staggering amount; “This is a surprising amount,” Trump said, responding to a question about whether the threat of customs duties previously imposed on countries found to supply military equipment to Iran would also apply to China.

Trump’s statements televised phone call Came with Fox News CNN reported, citing inside sources That same day, U.S. intelligence assessments suggested that China’s impending shipment of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), a shoulder-operated, surface-to-air missile platform, to Iran.

However, in an interview with Fox News, Trump said such reports “[don’t] “It means a lot to me because these are still fake.”

Speculation has increased regarding China’s role in Iran’s war effort.

In the hours following last week Temporary ceasefire between the USA and Iran The New York Times, citing three Iranian insiders, reported: He said China was “putting pressure” on Iran to sign a ceasefire agreement.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a reporter on April 8: press conference He said China was “making active efforts to promote peace talks and end hostilities” but did not confirm a formal mediating role.

Dylan Loh, an associate professor of public policy and global affairs at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, said China, one of Iran’s closest allies, had until recently been “pretty reticent” about its support for Tehran.

“China appears to be using its influence selectively and, as recent developments have shown, [is] willing to act more proactively when he perceives an opportunity to make an impact,” Loh added.

Although China has been one of Iran’s most vocal sources of support, there has been no official statement that Beijing has provided military or financial support to Tehran since the start of hostilities on February 28.

Loh said that if China’s arms delivery to Iran is confirmed, it would “mark a deviation” in Beijing’s response to the situation in the Middle East, adding that although the weapons do not play a decisive role in Iran’s retaliatory efforts, it would “add more uncertainty” to the overall situation.

Analysts have previously suggested to CNBC that China’s support for Iran is likely driven by Beijing’s own material and economic interests rather than a meaningful shift in foreign policy.

Zongyuan Zoe Liu, senior fellow for China Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told CNBC last Friday that Beijing’s economy remains primarily reliant on maritime exports and would therefore be vulnerable to an economic downturn resulting from a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Beijing in 2025 Bought more than 80% Iran’s heavily sanctioned oil exports meet more than 10% of China’s total demand, according to estimates by maritime intelligence firm Kpler.

Chinese-flagged oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, one of Iran’s major economic partners, are reportedly among the few ships allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict.

But gasoline prices in China are still up about 11 percent since Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz. figures This decision from China’s National Development and Reform Commission triggered a ceiling on further increases in oil prices. protect consumers from more side effects of war.

Trump in provocative Easter Sunday post on Truth Social account was threatened If Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it will bomb Iran’s critical infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.

This was followed by someone else Real Social post Trump said “an entire civilization will die tonight” if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened before the April 8 deadline; This threat did not materialize.

Still, Loh emphasized that Trump also showed that he was willing to carry out his warnings.

“Venezuela, Iran, global tariffs, etc. are instructive examples. [Trump] Loh said China would respond if it had solid evidence that it was ready to significantly assist Iran.

Trump on Sunday announced a complete blockade of ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz following the failure of peace talks between Iran and the United States, with Iranian state media citing “unreasonable demands” by the US delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vance.

President Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

China’s embassy in Singapore did not respond to CNBC’s requests for comment.

— CNBC’s Evelyn Cheng contributed to this report.