Trump Requests Month-Long Postponement of China Summit Amid Iran War

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WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has requested to delay his upcoming high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping by about a month. Originally scheduled for late March, Trump told reporters at the White House that the postponement is necessary so he can remain in Washington to oversee the ongoing war with Iran. He emphasized that the decision is "very simple" and strictly about managing the conflict, and that he still maintains a "very good relationship" with the Chinese leader.

The conflict with Iran has become the primary focus of U.S. foreign policy, as it threatens global oil supplies and risks driving up domestic energy prices. While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the delay is purely for war coordination and not due to trade disputes, the announcement follows Trump’s recent warning that he might postpone the summit if China does not help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Friction between the two nations remains high, particularly as Beijing, a major buyer of Iranian energy, has criticized U.S. and Israeli military strikes.

Despite the delay of the top-level summit, lower-level economic negotiations between the U.S. and China are continuing in Paris. These talks cover sensitive issues such as tariffs, investments, and sanctions, especially following a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s signature tariff policy.

While Chinese representatives have expressed "serious concern" over new U.S. trade investigations, both sides have reached a consensus on some points and intend to keep negotiating while the President focuses on the war effort in the Gulf.