SHANNON, Ireland — President Donald Trump dismissed reports on Sunday that Chinese entities provided Iran with high-resolution satellite imagery ahead of a July missile attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan that killed three American troops.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One in Ireland as he prepared to return to Washington, Trump downplayed the report and defended U.S.–China relations ahead of his planned September 24 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
When asked whether he would raise the issue during his upcoming talks with Xi, Trump did not answer directly. Instead, he drew a comparison between Chinese and American intelligence operations.
“They basically do what we do,” Trump said. “When they say China spies on us, I say, ‘You’re right,’ and we spy on them, too.”
The Republican leader added that Xi has “behaved reasonably well, and we behave reasonably well.”
What the Report Alleged and How China Responded
A report by The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials, alleged that Chinese entities provided Iran with high-resolution satellite imagery prior to a July 17 missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in northeastern Jordan. The strike killed three U.S. service members and wounded four others.
While the report did not identify the specific Chinese entities or allege direct participation by the Chinese government, Chinese officials denied that domestic companies assisted in the attack and demanded that Washington provide evidence to support the claims.
Rising Concerns in Washington
The report has heightened concerns in Washington that commercial Chinese satellite capabilities could be helping Iran refine its ability to target American personnel.
The Trump administration has previously accused Chinese firms of aiding Tehran. In May, the U.S. sanctioned three Chinese companies—MizarVision, Earth Eye, and Chang Guang—alleging they provided, collected, or distributed satellite imagery that Iran could use to target U.S. forces. The administration had also previously accused Chang Guang of supporting Iran-backed Houthi attacks in Yemen.
Diplomatic Fallout Ahead of Planned Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to travel to the U.S. on September 24 to meet with President Trump, though Beijing has not officially confirmed the meeting. The potential summit comes amid broader, ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology, and national security.
The report noted that U.S. officials had warned their Chinese counterparts for months about domestic companies supplying Iran with satellite imagery that could be used to target American forces and facilities.
While earlier U.S. strikes had significantly degraded Iran’s radar, satellite, and surveillance capabilities, Tehran released high-resolution imagery showcasing the damage just three days after the Jordan base attack, according to the outlet.