President Donald Trump has a prime opportunity to help lower costs for Americans in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the top GOP lawmaker overseeing U.S.diplomacy told Fox News Digital.House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, R-Fla., argued that China is one of the biggest culprits in Americans' current struggle with high cost of living — particularly at the gas pump.
He blamed China's willingness to arm Iran in its ongoing conflict with the U.S., which has wreaked havoc on global trade by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz."If President Trump can secure that China will stop arming Iran, who is trying to destabilize this key oil route through the globe, then the president will have done something very important for affordability, especially in terms of global crude prices, which equal prices at the pump here in the United States of America," Mast said.TRUMP-XI SUMMIT SHOULD MAKE SURE AMERICAN STRENGTH DELIVERS AMERICAN RESULTSChinese President Xi Jinping, left, greets U.S.President Donald Trump during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 14, 2026.
(Kenny Holston - Pool via AP)Cost of living and affordability are fast becoming top issues in the coming November midterm elections, with both parties accusing the other of pushing policies that will make life more expensive for everyday Americans.Gas prices are a particular flashpoint, with the ongoing U.S.war with Iran being blamed for the rising cost of oil.TRUMP-BACKED IOWA US SENATE HOPEFUL SAYS IRAN WAR MUST 'BE BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL AND IMMEDIATE END'The current national average cost of a gallon of gas is $4.47, up more than 30 cents since Sept.
3.Mast said China "probably is the number one actor that is working to raise those prices," with its support of both Iran and Russia's wars.Rep.Brian Mast, R-Fla., on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., May 21, 2025.
(Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)BESSENT PREDICTS OIL PRICES COULD DROP AS LOW AS $40 AFTER IRAN CO...