A White House official disclosed that Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed interest in increasing the volume of crude oil imported from the United States. This strategic pivot is intended to diminish China's heavy reliance on energy supplies routed through the Middle East, specifically concerning maritime chokepoints.

Furthermore, the official stated that President Xi voiced opposition to any proposal that would impose transit fees or tolls for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. This position reinforces Beijing's long-standing view on the freedom of navigation through crucial international maritime passages.

The desire for greater US oil imports represents a tangible shift in China's energy security planning. By securing more supplies from North America, China aims to build resilience against geopolitical volatility that frequently affects Middle Eastern production and transit routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a substantial portion of global seaborne oil.

This development suggests a potential avenue for increased energy trade cooperation between Washington and Beijing, despite broader geopolitical tensions. The specific volume targets for increased US oil purchases were not detailed, but the intent to reduce dependence on the Middle East was made clear by the administration source during the briefing regarding Chinese energy strategy.