Trump Says He Will 'Reset' China Trip to Xi for Five to Six Weeks Later Amid Iran War
President Trump said he will "reset" his planned trip to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, postponing it from the end of the month to roughly five to six weeks after personally requesting the delay so he can remain in Washington during the Iran war. China has not publicly confirmed a new date and says the two sides are "maintaining communication," while Trump says he is pressing Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and join efforts to restart tanker traffic.
📌 Key Facts
- Trump says he personally requested postponing his China trip and now expects it to occur in about five to six weeks (announced during a March 17 Oval Office meeting).
- He described the move as 'resetting' his visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping but did not provide further details about the new plan.
- Trump tied the delay to the Iran war, saying he 'has to be here' in the U.S. during the conflict and needs to remain in Washington.
- He is pressing China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, arguing Beijing’s heavy reliance on Middle East oil means it should join efforts to restart tanker traffic.
- China has not publicly confirmed a postponement; Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing and Washington are 'maintaining communication' on the visit.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, almost half of China's crude oil imports arrived from the Arabian Gulf, which typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tanker Market: Almost Half of China's Crude Oil Imports in 2025 Arrived from the Arabian Gulf — Hellenic Shipping News
As of 2024, there are approximately 750,000 Iranian Americans in the U.S., making up 0.2% of the population.
7 facts about Iranians in the U.S. — Pew Research Center
African American households experience a higher energy burden compared to other households across income levels, with factors like older building age and lower homeownership rates contributing to this disparity.
Energy burden: Exploring the intersection of race, income, and building age — ScienceDirect (Energy Research & Social Science)
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Trump said during the March 17 Oval Office meeting that he will be going to China 'in five or six weeks’ time' instead of at the end of the month.
- He described the plan as 'resetting' his visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, without providing details.
- He reiterated that the delay is tied to his need to remain in Washington during the Iran war and his pressure campaign on Beijing over Strait of Hormuz security.
- Trump says he personally requested that his China trip be delayed by about a month and now expects it to occur in 'about five weeks.'
- He explicitly ties the delay to the Iran war, saying he 'has to be here' in the U.S. during the conflict and therefore wants to postpone travel.
- China has not yet publicly confirmed the postponement; Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian only said Beijing and Washington are 'maintaining communication' on the visit.
- Trump reiterates he is pressing China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, arguing in a Financial Times interview that Beijing’s heavy reliance on Middle East oil means it should join a coalition to restart tanker traffic.