Trump Plans to Delay China Visit Amid Ongoing Iran Conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is considering postponing his upcoming high-level visit to China by about a month due to the ongoing war involving Iran.

Trump told reporters at the White House, “We have asked to move it back by about a month or so,” adding that it is important for him to remain in the United States to oversee the war effort.

The meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping was originally scheduled to take place between March 31 and April 2, marking their first face-to-face talks since October last year.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington told the BBC it had seen reports about the meeting but had no information to share.

The intensifying conflict, along with disruptions to global oil supplies that threaten rising energy prices in the United States, has overshadowed much of Trump’s broader foreign policy agenda.

Trump emphasized that the delay is solely due to the war. Referring to Xi, he said, “I look forward to meeting him. We have a very good relationship.” He added, “There’s no other motive. It’s very simple. We have a war going on, and I think it’s important that I stay here.”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said on Monday that the delay is not related to any request for assistance from Beijing in the Persian Gulf or to trade disputes. “The president wants to remain in Washington to coordinate the war effort,” he said, noting that foreign travel may not be appropriate at this time.

A day earlier, Trump had suggested he might postpone the meeting if China did not help ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments. He also called on other countries to contribute to securing maritime traffic in the region.

Trump’s remarks come at a time of rising tensions between the world’s two largest economies amid the Iran conflict. China is a major buyer of Iranian energy exports and has criticized U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Meanwhile, trade tensions remain in focus. In February, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down Trump’s tariff policy, prompting Washington to launch investigations into trade practices involving China and several other countries.

In recent days, U.S. and Chinese representatives have met in Paris to discuss issues including investment, tariffs, and economic sanctions.

China’s state news agency Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday that Chinese trade representative Li Chenggang said both sides had reached consensus on some issues and would continue discussions. He added that U.S. officials briefed China on changes to Washington’s tariff policies, while Chinese negotiators expressed “serious concerns” over planned U.S. trade investigations and urged efforts to maintain economic stability.