Trump Requests to Postpone Summit with Chinese Counterpart for a Month Due to Iran War

SadaNews - President Donald Trump said that he has requested China to postpone a summit that was scheduled to be held with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for about a month, indicating that it is important for him to remain in Washington to oversee the war with Iran.

During an event at the White House on Monday, Trump remarked in response to a question about the possibility of rescheduling the prominent summit that the U.S. administration "is working on that now. We are talking to China. I want to attend the summit, but because of the war, I must be here."

Currently, the meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies is set to begin later this month.

Trump added, "I must be here; that’s how I feel. Therefore, we requested to postpone it for about a month, and I look forward to being with them. We have a very good relationship."

He continued, "There is no trick in the postponement; it is due to the war," adding, "The issue is very simple, we have an ongoing war. I believe it is important for me to be here. So we might postpone it a little, not much."

The War Overshadows Trump’s Other Priorities

Trump had praised his plan to meet with Xi during the scheduled trip between March 31 and April 2, considering it a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two countries.

Teams from both countries met in Paris over the past days to discuss potential areas for reaching an agreement, including Chinese investments in the United States and advanced semiconductor exports.

However, the war has overshadowed Trump’s other priorities, especially with Iran’s maneuvering to close the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices to exceed $100 per barrel.

Trump has sought to increase pressure on other economies to provide resources to help secure the strait and ensure the safe passage of oil tankers and other ships amid a global energy supply chain crisis.

In an interview with the "Financial Times" published on Sunday, Trump stated that it is "only appropriate" for the countries benefiting from navigation through the strait to help protect it, hinting at the possibility of postponing the trip to China if Beijing does not assist in the matter of the Strait of Hormuz.

A Chinese Response and Criticism of American Statements

The Chinese government-affiliated "Global Times" rejected this idea, considering it an attempt by Trump to distribute the risks of "a war started by Washington and that it cannot end."

Earlier on Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Pisent dismissed speculation that Trump might delay the trip as a means to pressure China to help reopen the strait, stating that any potential postponement would be due to "logistical arrangements" related to the meeting, and because the war is occupying Trump’s focus.

Pisent said to "CNBC": "If the meeting is rescheduled for any reason, it will be for logistical reasons."

Delaying the summit may not be a significant disappointment for Beijing. China had previously suggested that Trump arrive at the end of April to allow more time for preparations, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Such a delay would allow for further discussions on security and diplomatic issues, including self-ruled Taiwan.