SKIN IN THE GAME: Trump, Bessent Say China May Help Reopen Strait of Hormuz.

Bessent, speaking to CNBC from Beijing, said reopening the waterway is “very much” in China’s interest and predicted Beijing would work “behind the scenes” to influence Iranian leaders. Reuters reported Bessent said, “I think they’re going to do what they can” to help reopen the strait.

Trump, in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, said Chinese President Xi Jinping “would love to be a help” and wants to see the strategically vital shipping lane reopened.

But China itself has not publicly committed to any concrete intervention or mediation effort aimed specifically at forcing Iran to reopen the strait.

Instead, Beijing has issued broader diplomatic statements calling for stability, restraint and the preservation of commercial shipping routes.

Iran is a global pariah and China wants to be a global player.

Maybe Beijing can and will help promote freedom of navigation in an internationally responsible way.

Or maybe inviting PLAN in to help will turn out to be a big mistake.