US president Donald Trump says he will meet Chinese president Xi Jinping in China on 14-15 May, after delaying the landmark trip amid the US-Israel war with Iran. This would be the first visit to China by a US president in nearly 10 years. Trump is also set to host Xi in Washington DC later this year, and officials are finalizing preparations for these Historic Visits, he wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the dates of Trump's visit, telling reporters that President Xi had understood and accepted the request to postpone the trip. President Xi understood that it's very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now, Leavitt said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
Beijing has not confirmed the dates listed by Trump - though it does not typically reveal Xi's schedule so far in advance. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on Thursday that both sides are maintaining communication regarding President Trump's visit to China and emphasized the importance of leader-level diplomacy in bilateral ties.
Trump's trip, originally slated for 31 March, was delayed after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran last month, killing the country's supreme leader. In response, Iran attacked Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the world’s oil and natural gas, which has contributed to a global fuel crisis. Trump has urged US allies to help unblock the strait and has threatened Iran with attacks on its energy infrastructure if it does not allow full access through the waterway.
When asked about the Iran war's potential resolution by the time Trump visits China, Leavitt noted they had estimated approximately four to six weeks for the situation to stabilize. The last visit by a US president to China occurred in November 2017 during Trump's first term. Ties between the US and China have been strained over various issues, including trade and geopolitical tensions, making Trump's visit a crucial moment to observe any signs of reconciliation. Chinese state media have called for increased US-China exchanges, highlighting the historical context of cooperation between the two nations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the dates of Trump's visit, telling reporters that President Xi had understood and accepted the request to postpone the trip. President Xi understood that it's very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now, Leavitt said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
Beijing has not confirmed the dates listed by Trump - though it does not typically reveal Xi's schedule so far in advance. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on Thursday that both sides are maintaining communication regarding President Trump's visit to China and emphasized the importance of leader-level diplomacy in bilateral ties.
Trump's trip, originally slated for 31 March, was delayed after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran last month, killing the country's supreme leader. In response, Iran attacked Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the world’s oil and natural gas, which has contributed to a global fuel crisis. Trump has urged US allies to help unblock the strait and has threatened Iran with attacks on its energy infrastructure if it does not allow full access through the waterway.
When asked about the Iran war's potential resolution by the time Trump visits China, Leavitt noted they had estimated approximately four to six weeks for the situation to stabilize. The last visit by a US president to China occurred in November 2017 during Trump's first term. Ties between the US and China have been strained over various issues, including trade and geopolitical tensions, making Trump's visit a crucial moment to observe any signs of reconciliation. Chinese state media have called for increased US-China exchanges, highlighting the historical context of cooperation between the two nations.
