U.S. President Trump warned on the 12th that if China provides military aid to Iran during the Middle East war, the U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on Chinese goods exported to the U.S.
On the 11th, American media cited intelligence reports suggesting there are signs that China is preparing to deliver man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran via third countries in the coming weeks. On the 12th, Trump, in an interview on Fox News Channel, said he had heard reports about China providing MANPADS to Iran, but he does not always believe such reports. He expressed doubt that China would do so, although he thought China might have done something like that at the onset of the conflict.
Trump also said: "If we find out they do this, they will be hit with a 50% tariff. That is a truly astonishing figure."