US President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed reports that Chinese entities had supplied Iran with satellite images of a military base before an Iranian strike killed three American soldiers.
Iranian missiles struck the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which houses US forces, in July.
“You know, when they say that China spies on us, I say you’re right, and we spy on them too,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from a visit to Ireland.
“That’s what we do. They basically do what we do,” Trump said.
The Wall Street Journal‘s report said unnamed American officials declined to say which Chinese entities had provided the images to Iran, and did not suggest Beijing was directly involved.
The White House has tried to play down tensions with China during Trump’s second termKylie Cooper/REUTERS
Trump keeps tensions low ahead of Xi meeting
Trump refused to answer questions about whether he would raise the incident with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to visit the White House on September 24.
China has not officially confirmed that the meeting will take place.
Trump on Sunday reiterated his belief that he has a good relationship with Xi.
“I think he’s behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well,” the US president said.
Trump’s remarks follow a pattern set by his administration, which has sought to downplay tensions with China, despite frustration in Washington over Beijing’s support for Iran.
Trump has previously warned China not to provide Iran with weapons. The US sanctioned three Chinese satellite companies in May for working with Iranian military entities.
China is one of Iran’s top economic and diplomatic partners and main buyers of its oil.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
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