Trump-Xi Jinping Meeting Not Cancelled, Could Be Delayed

The White House has said that Donald Trump’s proposed meeting with Xi Jinping is not in jeopardy but could be delayed as the US president remains focused on the ongoing Iran war.

Trump is scheduled to travel to China from March 31 to April 2 for a highly anticipated summit between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

“I don’t think the meeting is in jeopardy, but it’s quite possible the meeting could be delayed,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” program.

Trump previously told the Financial Times that he might postpone the summit if China did not assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway that has been effectively closed by Iran in response to US and Israeli actions. The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Leavitt added that should the trip be delayed, the White House would announce new dates soon. “The president’s utmost responsibility right now as commander-in-chief is to ensure the continued success of Operation Epic Fury, as he’s doing 24/7 here at the White House and here at home. So we’ll look forward to announcing those dates very soon,” she said.

Beijing confirmed that it is in communication with Washington regarding the potential visit. “Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations,” said Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, though he did not directly address Trump’s pressure on China and NATO allies concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

Lin noted that the “tense situation” in the strait has “disrupted international trade routes for goods and energy.”

The Trump-Xi summit is expected to focus primarily on trade issues. Over the weekend, top US and Chinese economic officials met in Paris, signaling progress ahead of the potential visit. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and top trade negotiator Li Chenggang.

Both sides described the meetings as “constructive,” with Li stating that China and the United States agreed that stable bilateral trade relations benefit both countries and the global economy. Discussions also included the creation of a bilateral working mechanism to enhance cooperation in trade and investment.

The meeting follows a turbulent year in US-China economic relations since Trump returned to the presidency.