A planned summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may be delayed as the United States focuses on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, U.S. officials said.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the meeting is not cancelled, but could be postponed mainly because of timing and the current military situation.
The summit had been expected to take place between March 31 and April 2, but the conflict has drawn Washington’s attention to the Middle East. The war has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transport routes.
Trump suggested that China could play a role in helping reopen the passage, since China has strong ties with Iran and is a major buyer of Iranian oil. The strait has been largely blocked due to attacks on ships and fears of sea mines, causing oil tanker traffic to drop sharply.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any delay would likely be due to logistical reasons rather than pressure on China. He added that Trump may choose to remain in Washington, D.C. to coordinate military operations instead of traveling abroad during the conflict.
Officials emphasized that the summit is still expected to happen, but its exact timing could change depending on developments in the Iran crisis.
Source: TRT World
