Vice President JD Vance said the People’s Republic of China (PRC) appeared willing to support the U.S.-led Operation Economic Outcast, which seeks to economically isolate Iran, while stressing that Beijing was not meeting every U.S. request. His remarks, reported by @financialjuice, coincided with a slight increase in prediction-market odds that Alibaba will be removed from the Chinese Military Companies list by June 30, 2027, although no formal delisting was announced. Vance said President Donald Trump maintains a good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping and described China as more responsible than Iran because it does not attack commercial shipping during disputes. The European Union has joined the operation, while South Korea is reportedly considering a military role in reopening the Strait of Hormuz; Türkiye, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf states are also assisting U.S. efforts to pressure Iran over attacks on commercial shipping. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is urging Trump to halt China’s purchases of Iranian oil before Xi’s visit to Washington.