Republican Lawmakers Express Concern Over Trump's Lavish Treatment of Xi Jinping, Question China's Aid to Iran in Targeting US Troops

(CNA, Washington, 25th - comprehensive international news) U.S. President Trump recently hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington with grand ceremonial honors, drawing concern and disappointment from multiple Republican federal senators. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Iran had used Chinese satellite imagery to identify U.S. military forces stationed in Jordan.

According to The Hill, Republican senators were briefed in a closed-door national security session yesterday about ongoing military cooperation between China and Iran. This has further deepened their skepticism over Trump's decision to welcome Xi with a red carpet at Joint Base Andrews.

Republican lawmakers are urging Trump to directly question Xi about reports of China providing military assistance to Iran, and to demand concrete trade concessions, particularly on U.S. agricultural exports.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said that greeting Xi with a 21-gun salute, red carpet, and B-1 bomber flyover was "a bit much."

Republican senators also questioned Trump's invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami in December.

Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said he disapproved of Trump's high-level reception of Xi, given the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China over Iran, Taiwan, and the artificial intelligence (AI) race.

"I understand the importance of engagement and diplomacy," he said, "but inviting Putin to the G20 and rolling out the red carpet for Xi—I can't support that."

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have "clearly" formed an anti-American 'axis' alliance.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump's gesture was a "reciprocation" of the hospitality Xi extended during Trump's visit to Beijing in May.

Other Republican senators also urged Trump to directly raise with Xi the issue of deepening military cooperation between China and Iran.

Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah said, "I certainly hope President Trump brings this up with President Xi, letting him know we are disappointed and that there will be consequences."

Republican Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Trump must take a "truly tough" stance on China on national security issues, such as Sino-Iranian military cooperation and how China acquires sensitive F-35 fighter jet components.

Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on the 22nd that Trump "should not have invited Xi to Washington and given him such a lavish reception."

Wicker added that Trump could "question" Xi during the lavish state dinner about China's massive military buildup or its apparent support for Iran.

He noted widespread media reports that China provided satellite imagery intelligence to Iran, resulting in the deaths of U.S. troops, and urged Trump to demand answers from Xi.

Kelly denied that China had enhanced Iran's ability to strike U.S. forces, saying, "As the president has said, any external support provided to Iran has not increased Iran's ability to attack Americans."

However, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he shared Wicker's and other colleagues' concerns about Trump's grand reception of Xi.

"We should reserve such high-level honors for people who aren't plotting our ultimate demise, not for Xi Jinping," Tillis said.

Meanwhile, several Democratic U.S. senators also criticized the Trump-Xi meeting as "heavy on ceremony, light on substance," noting no significant breakthroughs on AI, trade, critical minerals, or arms sales to Taiwan, and demanding that Trump immediately implement the over $15 billion in Taiwan security assistance already approved by Congress. (Translation: Hung Pei-ying) 1150925