Jim Banks

Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told Newsmax on Wednesday that President Donald Trump should use his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to pressure China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

He said China could help by leaning on Iran, arguing that Beijing has a major economic stake in restoring stability to the vital shipping lane.

"Consider that China buys 80% of the oil that Iran sends through the strait, so China is feeling the heat," Banks said on "Rob Schmitt Tonight."

The Strait of Hormuz, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world's most critical energy routes.

Concerns about disruptions to shipping through the strait have intensified amid escalating tensions involving Iran, raising fears of higher global energy prices and economic fallout.

Banks said Trump enters the Beijing summit with leverage.

"President Trump has the leverage. He has the better hand as he goes into these talks," Banks said.

Although Banks said he does not expect a formal agreement to emerge from the summit, he predicted Trump would deliver a forceful message to Xi on trade and U.S. interests.

"I wouldn't call them necessarily negotiations because I don't expect a deal to be made coming out of this summit in Beijing," Banks said. "But President Trump is going to send a tough message."

Banks noted that Trump brought executives from major American companies to China for the trip.

"He took these CEOs with him of powerful American companies and telling China and Xi to open up China again to American businesses and stop taking advantage of the United States of America," Banks said. "Put America's interests first, and whatever deal or talks or negotiations come out of this."

The senator also said China could play a key role in pushing Iran toward negotiations over its nuclear program.

"China can put the pressure on Iran to come to the table and negotiate a deal that does what President Trump has sought from the beginning to do, to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon," Banks said.

"We know that if they do, they will train that nuclear weapon on the United States, on Israel and on our allies," he added.

Banks praised Trump's handling of Iran, saying the president has shown resolve in confronting the regime.

"President Trump is the only president in 47 years who has had the guts to do what it takes to wipe out Iran's capabilities, their munitions stockpiles, their ability to build a nuclear weapon," Banks said. "We can't let up until we finish the goal."

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