Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening to discuss the ongoing conflict in Iran and other critical issues with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping.
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed that an opening ceremony and meeting are slated for Thursday morning, with the visit concluding on Friday. The United States intends to host the Chinese leader for a reciprocal visit later this year.
Kelly emphasized the “tremendous symbolic significance” of this week’s trip, stating its focus would be on “rebalancing the relationship with China and prioritizing reciprocity and fairness to restore American economic independence.”
Trump’s visit, initially planned for earlier this year but postponed in March due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran, occurs as the US president grapples with the widespread repercussions of the war, both domestically and internationally.
A senior administration official, speaking anonymously to news outlets on Sunday, indicated that Trump might “apply pressure” on China regarding Iran, particularly concerning oil sales and Tehran’s acquisition of potential dual-use military-civilian goods.
Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of “funding” Iran. “Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” Bessent stated on Fox News.
In response to US-Israeli attacks, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, thereby restricting passage through a vital global energy transport artery.
China has expressed its desire for the conflict to end and hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arraghchi last week. Concurrently, Beijing has declined to acknowledge Washington’s “unilateral” sanctions on Iran’s oil sector.
The disruptions caused by the war have adversely affected the global economy, with Asian nations heavily reliant on Middle Eastern imports experiencing significant hardship.
During the talks, Trump is also expected to address China’s support for Russia, alongside discussions on trade and rare earth minerals—a critical resource for the US tech sector. Business executives from aerospace giant Boeing and several agricultural companies are scheduled to accompany the US delegation.
The anonymous administration official also noted that no change is anticipated regarding the US stance on Taiwan, a persistent point of contention in relations between Washington and Beijing. China views the self-governing island as part of its territory, while the US maintains substantial security and economic commitments to Taiwan.
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