U.S. President Donald Trump said his upcoming visit to China could be delayed as Washington presses Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The potential postponement comes amid growing tensions tied to the strategic oil shipping route and ahead of a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Donald Trump says he may delay China visit
The meeting in Beijing had been scheduled for March 31 to April 2. However, Donald Trump indicated that the timeline could change if there is no clarity on China’s role regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Financial Times, Donald Trump said he wants China to help reopen the important maritime passage before he travels to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, carrying roughly one-fifth of the global daily oil supply.
Trump said the timeline before the meeting leaves room for changes. “We may delay,” Trump stated, adding that the remaining time before the summit was a “long time.” At the same time, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris to discuss preparations for the summit. China has not yet officially confirmed the dates for the meeting, which is typically announced closer to the scheduled time.
If the visit goes ahead, it would be the first trip by a U.S. president to China since Trump’s previous visit during his first term in 2017. Trump also raised the issue while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, arguing that China has a strong incentive to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz because of its energy needs.
According to Trump, China sources about 90% of its oil through the Strait. He has urged several European and Asian countries, including China, to assist in reopening the shipping corridor. However, China may be less vulnerable to disruptions than the president suggested. Over the past two decades, Beijing has diversified its energy supplies and built large strategic reserves (via CNBC).
