President Donald Trump is moving forward with plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week, despite concerns within China over holding the high-level talks while tensions with Iran remain unresolved. The summit is scheduled for May 14–15 and had already been postponed once due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has contributed to a global energy crunch and disrupted oil supplies, particularly affecting import-dependent countries like China.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Chinese officials are cautious about proceeding with the visit before the US–Iran situation stabilizes. However, Beijing has not made any public request to delay the meeting. A White House official confirmed that there are currently no changes to the schedule, while noting that Trump is looking forward to the talks but did not provide further details.

Trump expressed optimism about the meeting, saying he expected it to be significant and described his past relationship with Xi as positive, adding that US–China relations, including issues involving Iran, have remained stable. The Iran conflict, now in its third month under a fragile ceasefire, continues to create regional instability. US forces recently responded to Iranian actions targeting naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while commercial shipping in the region has slowed due to security risks and the threat of mines or attacks. The US blockade of Iranian vessels also remains in place, affecting global oil flows, including shipments to China.

Despite tensions, diplomatic communication between Washington and Beijing continues regarding the summit. Preparations in Beijing are reportedly underway, including preliminary diplomatic visits aimed at facilitating the meeting. Still, uncertainty persists, as some Chinese officials reportedly prefer that restrictions on Iranian shipping be lifted before the talks. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has also called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz during recent discussions with Iranian officials.

Although a ceasefire is in effect, the situation remains fragile, and both sides accuse each other of maintaining pressure. The US maintains that its military objectives have been achieved, while also warning that further action is possible if agreements are not reached. Experts note that while the ceasefire reduces immediate pressure on the summit, underlying tensions remain. Observers suggest China is likely to avoid confrontation during the visit and instead emphasize stability and the need to end the conflict. At the same time, the Trump administration has temporarily paused certain maritime operations in the region, signaling a possible window for negotiations, though officials have warned that military action could resume if the situation escalates again.

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