Trump, Xi to meet in Beijing in May after delay due to Iran war
Washington, March 26
US President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing on May 14-15 for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House has announced, signalling a renewed high-level engagement between the world's two largest economies amid ongoing global tensions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday said the long-awaited meeting between the two leaders will take place in Beijing, with plans for a reciprocal visit to Washington later this year.
"I'm pleased to announce that President Trump's long-awaited meeting with President Xi in China will now take place in Beijing on May 14th and 15th," she said.
Leavitt added that First Lady Melania Trump and President Trump would also host President Xi and Madame Peng for a return visit to Washington at a later date.
The announcement comes after the trip was postponed earlier due to ongoing US military operations in Iran. According to the White House, the rescheduling followed discussions between the two leaders, with Beijing acknowledging the US President's need to remain in Washington during the conflict.
"There was a discussion about the rescheduling of the meeting between the president and President Xi. President Xi understood that it's very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now," Leavitt said.
She clarified that the timing of the meeting was not tied to any specific outcome in the Iran conflict.
"No, there was a discussion about the rescheduling of the meeting... President Xi understood... the request to postpone and accepted it," she said when asked if the end of the war was a precondition for the summit.
The meeting is expected to take place as Washington continues its military campaign against Iran, with the administration indicating that operations are progressing "ahead of schedule."
Leavitt said officials had initially estimated a four- to six-week timeline for the Iran campaign, suggesting the conflict could still be ongoing when the summit takes place.
The planned Beijing meeting marks a significant diplomatic engagement between the United States and China at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, including competition over trade, technology, and global influence.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Hope they discuss climate change and global cooperation, not just trade wars. The world needs stable leadership. Also, curious if India's stance on Iran will be a topic? Our energy security is tied to that region.
The postponement shows some maturity in diplomacy, which is good. But meeting while a war is on? Feels a bit odd. As an Indian, my main concern is that any US-China deal doesn't come at the expense of other nations in the region, including ours. Jai Hind.
Living in Delhi, I see how global tensions affect local fuel prices and the economy. Hopefully, this meeting leads to de-escalation somewhere. The world feels on edge.
Respectfully, I think the article focuses too much on the "postponement" drama. The real story is the agenda. Will they discuss the South China Sea? Taiwan? These issues impact all of Asia, including India's maritime security.
Big powers meeting while a war rages in the Middle East. Hope peace is on the agenda too. India has always advocated for dialogue. This summit should set an example.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.