Trump-Xi summit could hold key to lower gas prices, GOP chairman says

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital that President Donald Trump has a chance to help ease Americans' cost-of-living pressures when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping, by pressing Beijing to stop arming Iran. Mast argued China bears significant responsibility for elevated gas prices because its support for Tehran has helped destabilize the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. He said securing a Chinese commitment to halt arms support for Iran would meaningfully affect global crude prices and, in turn, prices at the pump in the United States.

Affordability has emerged as a central concern heading into the November midterms, with gas costs drawing particular attention amid the continuing U.S.-Iran conflict, which has been cited as a factor pushing oil prices higher. The national average for a gallon of gas stands at $4.47, having climbed more than 30 cents since September 3. Mast described China as likely the leading actor driving up those prices, pointing to its backing of both Iran and Russia in their respective conflicts.

Mast said Thursday's summit gives Trump a key chance to push Xi on scaling back support for Iran, framing China's arming of Tehran as enabling indiscriminate attacks on civilian vessels passing through the strait, in contrast to U.S. efforts to safeguard shipping and the people traveling through Gulf countries. He also credited Trump with keeping a large volume of oil flowing through the strait in recent months.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →