US President Donald Trump has played down reports that Chinese entities provided Iran with satellite imagery of a US military base in Jordan before and after an Iranian missile strike that killed three American soldiers.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump acknowledged that the United States and China conduct intelligence operations against each other.
“You know, when they say that China spies on us, I say you’re right, and we spy on them too,” Trump said.
“That’s what we do. They basically do what we do,” he added.
The comments came a day after The Wall Street Journal reported that Beijing had shared intelligence with Tehran concerning the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, where US forces are stationed.
Iran launched missile strikes against the base on July 17, killing three US Army soldiers.
The Journal, citing unnamed US officials, did not identify the Chinese entities allegedly involved and did not accuse the Chinese government of directly facilitating the attack.
According to the report, Chinese officials demanded evidence when US officials raised the alleged transfer of satellite imagery but declined to acknowledge that Chinese companies had provided Tehran with the images.
The development could add to tensions between Washington and Beijing ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned state visit to the White House on September 24.
The Trump administration has previously warned China against supplying weapons to Iran. In May, Washington sanctioned three China-based satellite companies over allegations that they had supported Iran’s military operations.
China remains one of Iran’s key economic and diplomatic partners, including as a major buyer of Iranian oil.
Despite the latest concerns, Trump struck a conciliatory tone when asked about his relationship with Xi.
“He’s behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well,” the US president said.
Trump also defended his administration’s restrictions on Chinese vehicles entering the US market when asked whether he would permit Chinese cars to be sold in the country.
“I haven’t. I’m the one that kept them out. The tariffs kept them out,” he said.
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