Part 2/11:
Donald Trump has taken decisive steps that have significantly altered Iran's economic clout, especially as Iran's oil exports have been a major geopolitical leverage point. Historically, Iran's oil exports to China accounted for nearly 90% of their total exports, making China Iran's biggest customer. However, Trump's recent negotiations and policies have disrupted this flow.
Although the specifics of the new deal between the U.S. and China remain under wraps, it's clear that the U.S. aims to shift China's dependence away from sanctioned countries like Iran and Venezuela towards more stable U.S. energy sources. Trump has championed a "drill baby drill" energy policy, leading the U.S. to become a net exporter of oil — exporting more than twice as much as other top producers combined.