Washington/Beijing (Web Desk): US President Donald Trump has postponed his planned trip to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, citing the ongoing conflict with Iran and its implications for US foreign relations.
“We are rescheduling the meeting… China is aware and agreed,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office. The trip, initially scheduled for March 31 to April 2, is now expected to take place in roughly five to six weeks.
The delay comes amid growing uncertainty for global markets and diplomacy, as tensions with Iran have pushed up oil prices, threatened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and heightened concerns about energy security.
Trump’s military and economic operations in Iran have had far-reaching consequences, drawing attention across his administration.
Iran has warned it may target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which about 20% of the world’s oil is transported daily.
Trump has urged multiple nations, including China, to help ensure safe passage, though Beijing has not provided a direct response.
Preparatory talks for the visit included meetings in Paris between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, focusing on potential US agricultural exports, including poultry and beef, as well as rare earth mineral flows and broader trade and investment measures.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson highlighted the importance of high-level diplomatic guidance for US-China relations.