Trump signals possible delay to Beijing summit as U.S. pressures China to help reopen Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering delaying his upcoming trip to China in light of ongoing tensions surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, in an interview with the Financial Times, expressed his expectation for China to assist in unblocking the strait before his scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the end of March. The president emphasized the importance of clarity on this issue before the planned visit, hinting at a possible delay if necessary.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently met with his Chinese counterpart in Paris to discuss the summit, although Beijing has not yet confirmed the dates. This trip would mark Trump’s first visit to China since his initial term in office and follows a temporary truce in the trade war agreed upon during a meeting with Xi in Busan five months ago.

China, however, may not be as heavily reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for oil as Trump suggests. The country has diversified its energy sources and built strategic reserves over the past two decades, reducing its dependence on the strait. Satellite imagery shows that Iran continues to ship oil to China despite the conflict in the region.

Edward Fishman of the Council on Foreign Relations believes that Trump’s demand for China’s assistance in reopening the strait is a “bluff.” He points out that China’s investments in clean energy technologies give them leverage in the global energy market, potentially reducing their vulnerability to disruptions in oil supply.

As tensions escalate, the U.S. has launched trade investigations into multiple countries, including China, over alleged excess capacity and forced labor practices. In response, China has criticized these investigations as unilateral and discriminatory, urging the U.S. to correct its actions and engage in dialogue for mutually beneficial solutions.

The upcoming summit between Trump and Xi in Beijing is expected to be a high-stakes meeting, with both sides maneuvering to assert their interests. The outcome of this summit could have significant implications for the ongoing trade and geopolitical dynamics between the two countries.