Trump: US Won't Need China's Help on Iran

President Trump says he's headed to Beijing with Iran on his mind—but not because he's looking for help. Before departing for his China trip on Tuesday, Trump told reporters he plans to have a "long talk" with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the ongoing conflict with Iran. He said XI had been "relatively good," NBC News reports. "You look at the blockade, no problem," he said. They get a lot of their oil from that area. We've had no problem. But he rejected the idea that Xi's help is needed to pressure Iran to end the war, insisting the US will prevail "peacefully or otherwise." "Their Navy is gone. Their Air Force is gone. Every single element of their war machine is gone," he said.

Trump, who will be in China from Wednesday to Friday, said he would be thinking about the fate of the ceasefire "for a little while" during his flight to Beijing, but trade would be the main focus of the visit, the AP reports. "We have Iran very much under control," he said. Trump said he had spoken to Xi and both leaders are looking forward to the visit, Trump's first trip to China since 2017. "He's been a friend of mine," Trump said. "He's been somebody that we get along with. And, I think you're going to see that good things are going to happen." In March, Trump delayed the trip for six weeks because of the war. At the time, the White House suggested the conflict could be over by mid-April.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that he will joining Trump on the China trip, the New York Times reports. Trump will also be accompanied by 16 business leaders, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook. The AP reports that Brett Ratner, director of Melania Trump's move and the Rush Hour series, was also spotted on Air Force One.