US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will defer a significant visit to China due to the ongoing Iran war, pushing the meeting with President Xi Jinping back by approximately one month. The original dates for this meeting were set between March 31 and April 2, following their last face-to-face talks in October of the previous year.
Trump explained to reporters at the White House that he requested the delay to ensure his availability as the conflict in Iran continues to escalate. We've requested that we delay it a month or so, he stated, emphasizing the importance of overseeing military operations.
Chinese foreign affairs spokesman Lin Jian confirmed that discussions between the two countries are ongoing about the timing and related matters of Trump's visit. The Iran war has significantly overshadowed Trump's other foreign policy initiatives, presenting challenges regarding the global oil supply and resulting price changes in the US.
Trump remarked, I'm looking forward to being with him, referring to Xi. He insisted that the need to delay was solely driven by the current military situation. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this sentiment, arguing that being in Washington to coordinate the war efforts was crucial.
The move to postpone the meeting is not tied to US demands for assistance from China related to the Gulf conflict or trade tensions. However, it follows Trump's previous comments about potentially delaying the meeting unless China intervenes to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for global energy shipments.
As tensions rise between the US and China, affected by the Iran war, representatives from both nations recently met in Paris to negotiate various issues, including trade practices, tariffs, and economic sanctions, with some progress reported. Chinese negotiators have expressed concern over US probing into China’s trade practices and the overall stability of economic relations.
