US President Donald Trump travels to Beijing next week for a high-stakes superpower summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Although Trump hopes for a lavish welcome, the ongoing Iran war threatens to overshadow the high-level talks. This meeting, originally delayed in March due to the Middle East conflict, represents Trump’s first visit to China since 2017.
Leverage and the Iran Factor
The global community currently watches the world’s two largest economies as they attempt to ease tensions over trade and Taiwan. Trump noted that Xi has been “very respectful” regarding the Iranian issue. However, analysts suggest China may exploit Trump’s current focus on the war to extract key concessions.
“The reality is that right now, Iran is critical for the US and the Chinese know that,” said Edgard Kagan of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Trump, 79, frequently highlights his “very good relationship” with the 72-year-old Chinese leader. He even suggested that Xi might offer a “big, fat hug” regarding the Iran situation. Beyond the optics of Great Power diplomacy, Trump seeks tangible business deals to bolster his party before the midterm elections. Reports indicate the administration plans to invite CEOs from Apple, Exxon, Nvidia, and Boeing to join the delegation.
Pursuit of Stability
China primarily seeks stability and an extension of the fragile year-long trade truce established in South Korea. Nevertheless, Beijing remains firm on its own interests. On May 2, Chinese officials stated they would not comply with US sanctions targeting firms linked to Iranian oil transactions.
“It appears that the truce is not as strong as we were hoping,” Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, told AFP.
Furthermore, Patricia Kim of the Brookings Institution noted that Beijing holds significant leverage. “Trump is looking for a win, right? He hasn’t had many wins in recent weeks with the war in Iran going on,” she observed.
Regional allies remain concerned about potential US wavering on Taiwan. While Beijing likely plans to utilize pomp and flattery to manage the volatile US leader, they will also attempt to distance themselves from the Iranian conflict. Consequently, the world awaits to see if this summit produces a breakthrough or merely provides a temporary distraction from global instability.
