U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday said China had been an unreliable global partner during the Middle East war by hoarding oil and limiting exports of some goods, mirroring its actions with medical goods during the ?COVID-19 pandemic.

Bessent told reporters he had spoken with Chinese officials about the issue. He ?dodged a ?question about whether the dispute would derail U.S. President Donald Trump¡¯s plan ?to visit Beijing in mid-May, but said Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a very good working relationship.

¡°I think the message for the visit is stability. We¡¯ve had great stability ?in the relationship since last summer; that emanates from the top down,¡± he said. ¡°I think that communication is the ?key.¡±