US EditionTrump signals possible delay to Beijing summit as U.S. pressures China to help reopen Strait of Hormuz
Trump may postpone the Beijing summit to pressure China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, vital for global oil, amid a 40% to 50% surge in prices since the Iran conflict began.
- President Donald Trump threatened to delay his March 31 summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping unless Beijing helps secure the Strait of Hormuz, telling the Financial Times that China's reliance on Middle Eastern oil necessitates its participation.
- The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed following Iranian attacks, driving global oil prices higher and prompting Trump to demand international support. He warned that neglecting this request would be "very bad for the future of NATO."
- While Trump claims China sources about 90% of its oil through the waterway, analysts estimate the figure is 40% to 50%. Beijing holds an estimated 1.2 billion barrels of crude reserves to mitigate supply risks.
- Beijing's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed the two nations are "maintaining communication regarding Trump's visit," while Chinese officials criticized recent U.S. trade investigations as "extremely unilateral, arbitrary and discriminatory."
- Experts like Fudan University's Wu Xinbo argue China has little incentive to join a U.S.-led coalition in an active war zone, expecting Beijing to prioritize diplomatic mediation over military entanglement.
57 Articles
57 Articles
Donald Trump told the Financial Times that he could postpone his trip to Beijing from 31 March to 2 April. The Global Times attacked him: "He wants to share the risks of a war that he started on his own, and he doesn't know how to end it." And Xinhua criticizes the decision to bomb Iran while the negotiations were still underway: "So it is the world order that pays a price"
China says ‘maintaining communication’ with US over Trump’s visit
Beijing said on Monday it is in talks with Washington over an expected visit by US President Donald Trump, who has pressured NATO allies and China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump takes questions from the media before boarding Air Force One on March 13, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Photo: Nathan Howard/Getty Images/AFP. Trade is set to take centre stage in the potential talks between President Xi Jinping a…
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