A former Trump official stunned a Fox News anchor with an unequivocal warning about America’s greatest geopolitical rival.
His blunt answer came only days after a high-profile White House visit sought to ease tensions between both nations.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China would give Iran money despite President Trump hosting Xi Jinping.
Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner asked Pompeo for a simple yes-or-no response during “The Faulkner Focus.”
“Would our frenemy, China, give Iran money?” Faulkner asked while preparing to move toward another subject.
“Yes,” Pompeo immediately responded, offering no hesitation or qualification.
A surprised Faulkner reacted with an extended “Ooo” before initially postponing the discussion for another day.
However, his answer clearly caught her attention, and she returned to the subject moments later.
“Real quickly, your thought on China giving money to Iran?” Faulkner asked.
Pompeo said Beijing already supports Tehran and described China as an adversary of the United States.
“Look, they’re supporting them already,” the former CIA director and secretary of state said.
He pointed to dual-use Chinese technology allegedly appearing in missiles fired during the ongoing conflict.
Pompeo also cited allegations that the Chinese Communist Party provided targeting information assisting Iranian operations.
“The Chinese Communist Party has been allegedly providing targeting data,” Pompeo said.
He then connected that alleged assistance directly to attacks killing American service members.
“They’re killing Americans,” Pompeo declared before describing China, Russia and Iran as a coordinated threat.
Pompeo said the three governments are working together to undermine the United States and its interests.
“The Chinese Communist Party is an adversary,” he said, closing his warning with “Period, full stop.”
Faulkner noted that Pompeo did not suggest Xi’s recent American visit had softened China’s behavior.
Her observation highlighted tension between the ceremonial diplomacy surrounding the visit and Pompeo’s assessment of Beijing’s actions.
President Trump hosted Xi at the White House during a state visit featuring high-level meetings and diplomatic pageantry.
The visit occurred as Washington sought Chinese cooperation on trade, Iran and other major security challenges.
Pompeo’s warning contradicted recent assurances offered by United States Ambassador to China David Perdue.
Perdue told Fox News that Xi had assured American officials China was not assisting Iran.
The ambassador said Trump clearly communicated that any Chinese support for Tehran would be unacceptable.
“Well, this has been a continual conversation over some period of time,” Perdue explained.
He credited Trump with making China understand the seriousness of American concerns about assistance reaching Iran.
Perdue also claimed the administration had observed some movement from Beijing during the previous month.
Pompeo’s comments presented a much darker interpretation, describing Chinese support as ongoing rather than merely possible.
The disagreement does not necessarily establish what Xi personally authorized or what assistance Beijing currently provides.
Pompeo has long advocated a hard line against the Chinese Communist Party and warned about its global ambitions.
As secretary of state, he repeatedly challenged Beijing over espionage, trade abuses, human rights and military expansion.
His latest warning frames Iran as another front in a wider struggle involving China and Russia.
Dual-use technology can serve civilian purposes while also supporting weapons development, guidance systems or battlefield operations.
Alleged targeting assistance would represent a more direct and dangerous form of involvement than ordinary commercial trade.
Pompeo’s accusation therefore carries serious implications for American forces and the administration’s diplomatic approach toward Beijing.
The White House visit demonstrated Trump’s willingness to engage Xi while pursuing agreements beneficial to the United States.
Pompeo did not criticize Trump’s diplomacy, but he rejected any suggestion that ceremony transformed China into a trustworthy partner.
His comments suggest engagement must be paired with skepticism, verification and continued pressure on the Chinese government, Mediaite reported.
Faulkner’s startled reaction underscored how unexpected his certainty sounded following Xi’s elaborate reception in Washington.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
