White House Plays Down Tensions With China

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the United States expected China to work with it on the "next steps" on Iran.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The White House has sought to play down reports of rising tensions between the United States and China, saying the two countries would work together on issues of mutual concern but sometimes disagree.

Asked about China's reported reluctance to impose further sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the United States expected China to work with it on the "next steps" on Iran.

It was not in China's interests to have a nuclear Iran, he told a briefing.