Trump to meet with Xi Jinping on Iran during upcoming China visit

US President Donald Trump to Meet with Chinese Leader Amid Iran War Tensions

A visit by US President Donald Trump to Beijing is scheduled for this week, during which he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss various issues, including the ongoing war in Iran. The trip is expected to conclude on Friday.

According to White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, the meeting will take place at an opening ceremony and a meeting on Thursday morning. A reciprocal visit by the Chinese leader is planned for later this year.

Kelly described the trip as having “tremendous symbolic significance” and focusing on “rebalancing the relationship with China and prioritizing reciprocity and fairness to restore American economic independence.” The US has been seeking to contain the fallout from the war, both domestically and internationally.

A senior administration official stated that Trump may apply pressure to China regarding Iran in areas such as oil sales and Tehran’s purchase of dual-role military-civilian goods. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously accused China of “funding” Iran due to its significant energy purchases.

China has expressed a desire to see the war end, while refusing to recognize Washington’s unilateral sanctions on Iran’s oil sector. The global economy has been disrupted by the war, with Asian states heavily reliant on Middle Eastern imports particularly affected.

Business executives from Boeing and several agricultural companies will accompany the US delegation during the trip. No changes are expected regarding the US stance on Taiwan, a key point of contention in relations between Washington and Beijing.

Source: Al Jazeera