Trump's Iran war pushed up oil prices. China's Xi kept them in check

President Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran has not led to the doomsday oil price spike many feared at the start of the war. Energy analysts credit China’s oil strategy for this stability. China weathered the energy crunch by building a massive oil reserve and shifting toward electric vehicles and alternative fuels. This allowed China to cut crude imports, easing global demand and softening price effects as oil exports stalled through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, tensions in the Middle East continue to pose risks. When Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet this week, the war in Iran and its impact on the global economy are expected to be on the agenda.
Sources and context
ApnewsSource headline and summary supplied via NewsData.io. First collected by NewsJaws on 2026-09-19. This is an automated news brief, not original NewsJaws reporting. Dates reflect the source publication. Feed delays may apply.