Democrats urge Trump to challenge Xi

A group of Democratic lawmakers wrote to the White House on Monday urging President Donald Trump to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping over support Beijing has allegedly given to Tehran in the Iran war.

Summit set for Wednesday in Washington

Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet Wednesday in Washington in their second summit since the war broke out in February. This will be their opportunity to discuss the alleged Chinese support.

Chinese satellite imagery aided Iranian strike

The Democrats cited a September eleventh Wall Street Journal report that a U.S. assessment found a Chinese company's provision of satellite imagery supported an Iranian strike on an airbase in Jordan in July. Three U.S. soldiers died in the attack.

Lawmakers call it an act of war

Rep. John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said Chinese cooperation with the Iranian military resulting in American casualties is tantamount to an act of war against the United States.

“is tantamount to an act of war against the United States”

Trump compares it to U.S. spying

Asked whether he would raise the issue, Trump told reporters that the Chinese basically do what America does. He said when people say China spies on the U.S., he responds that America spies on China too.

“basically do what we do”

State Department already sanctioned four entities

The State Department sanctioned four China-based entities in May for providing satellite imagery that enables Iran's military strikes against U.S. forces in the Middle East. One company collected images during the war at Iran's request.

China unlikely to isolate Iran's economy

Evan Medeiros, a China analyst at The Asia Group, expects the U.S. to ask China for help isolating Iran's economy from global markets. He said China will be reluctant and will want payment, and he would not expect much to happen.