President Trump announces summit with Chairman Xi postponed by 5-6 weeks

The US president stated he will delay his visit to China and a summit with Chairman Xi for 5-6 weeks to focus on the Iran conflict.

US President Donald Trump announced on 17/3 that his planned visit to China and a summit with Chairman Xi Jinping would be postponed by 5-6 weeks. The delay is to allow President Trump to focus on the ongoing conflict with Iran.

"We are rescheduling the meeting, and it looks like it will happen in about 5 weeks. We are working with China. They completely agree," President Trump told reporters on 17/3, later adding that the visit could also be delayed up to 6 weeks.

The US president had initially planned to visit China from 31/3 to 2/4, with a summit scheduled to discuss various issues, primarily focusing on trade.

White House officials recently indicated that the visit was uncertain and could be postponed as President Trump "is focusing on the Iran issue". White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt further stated in an interview with Fox News that President Trump's "important responsibility now, as commander-in-chief, is to ensure the success of Operation Horrific Fury" targeting Iran.

In a phone interview with the Financial Times, President Trump mentioned his desire for China to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, and wished to receive an answer from Beijing before his visit.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified on 16/3 that any postponement or cancellation of the China visit would not be related to President Trump's request for China's assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington has not yet commented on President Trump's announcement of the delay, stating only that "China and the US continue to maintain communication regarding President Trump's visit, including the timing element."