WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in May during his first visit to China in eight years, a closely watched trip that was postponed due to the ongoing Iran war.
Trump announced that he will visit Beijing on May 14 and 15, adding that he plans to host Xi for a reciprocal visit in Washington later this year. He said preparations for the high-level meetings were under way and expressed optimism about the significance of the visit.
The trip, originally scheduled for earlier, was delayed as the United States became increasingly engaged in the Middle East conflict. The rescheduling reflects Washington’s effort to balance its role in the regional crisis while managing complex relations with China.
The upcoming visit will mark the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since their last engagement in October, where they had agreed on a temporary trade truce. Trump’s previous visit to China took place in 2017.
Officials said the talks are expected to cover trade and economic cooperation, with potential agreements in areas such as agriculture and aviation. However, key areas of tension, including Taiwan, are also likely to be discussed, with limited expectations for major breakthroughs.
Relations between the two countries have remained strained amid ongoing disputes over trade policies, military cooperation and regional influence. Recent developments, including US military actions in Iran and Beijing’s economic ties with Tehran, have added further complexity to the relationship.
The White House said both leaders agreed on rescheduling the visit, with Chinese leadership understanding the need for the delay due to the current conflict.
The outcome of the meeting is being closely watched globally, as it comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.
