BEIJING: The United States and China have agreed that no country should be allowed to impose taxes on ships passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Reuters citing a US State Department official.
The statement comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where regional security and trade routes are expected to dominate discussions.
President Trump arrived in Beijing on a two-day official visit and is set to hold high-level talks with President Xi within the next few hours. Diplomatic sources say both leaders are expected to discuss growing tensions in the Middle East, including the Iran issue and the security of maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil shipping lanes, with a significant portion of global energy supplies passing through the narrow waterway each day. Concerns over potential disruptions or additional levies on international shipping have intensified amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran.
According to the report, Washington and Beijing emphasized the importance of maintaining free and uninterrupted navigation through international waterways, warning against any measures that could threaten global trade and energy markets.
