NEWS DESK (MNN); US President Donald Trump has postponed his long-planned visit to China, citing evolving geopolitical priorities linked to the ongoing Iran conflict and tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump said the trip would now take place in five to six weeks instead of later this month, adding that he intends to “reset” his engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The visit was initially seen as an opportunity to strengthen a fragile trade truce between the two powers, but it has been overshadowed by Washington’s push for global support to secure the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Trump has urged China and other major economies to deploy naval forces to help safeguard the vital oil route, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes. However, there has been little response so far, with Beijing remaining cautious.
He earlier suggested that the timing of his trip could depend on China’s stance but later clarified that the delay was largely due to the demands of the ongoing conflict.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any adjustment to the schedule was due to logistical reasons rather than pressure on Beijing, following his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris.
Trump has also reached out to countries including Japan, South Korea, Britain, and France to support efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, but several nations have expressed reluctance, raising concerns over the US military approach.
The delay comes at a time when global oil prices are surging due to the conflict, adding economic pressure during a politically sensitive period in the United States.
