US officials confirmed Monday that the planned summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may be delayed due to ongoing US military operations in Iran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that the meeting is not in jeopardy but “it’s really just a matter of timing.” Trump previously indicated to the Financial Times that the summit could be postponed as part of efforts to urge Beijing, a major Iranian oil client, to help reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked to tankers.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also suggested that the March 31-April 2 summit may be rescheduled, emphasizing that any delay would be due to logistics and the need for Trump to remain in Washington coordinating the military campaign, rather than as a form of pressure on China.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical oil trade route, with traffic severely reduced by sporadic Iranian s on vessels and threats from sea mines. The US military has stated it cannot currently guarantee the security of the narrow maritime passage, creating significant disruptions to global oil shipments.
Trump’s administration has repeatedly called on international partners to assist in securing Hormuz, while balancing diplomatic efforts with China. Any postponement of the summit would allow the president to focus on coordinating the war effort in Iran, while still maintaining engagement with Beijing at an appropriate time.
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