Trump-Xi summit proceeds despite Iran war
The May 14-15 Beijing summit will happen as scheduled, six weeks after Iran tensions forced the original delay. The meeting puts Xi in a stronger position than March, when Trump needed Chinese cooperation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil flows. Council on Foreign Relations analysis suggests Beijing now holds leverage as Washington remains distracted by military operations. Expect limited trade progress on Boeing and soybeans, but Iran's status as China's largest crude buyer makes any oil-related concessions unlikely. The optics matter more than outcomes: both sides need stability theater.
Sources
- China holds upper hand at Trump summit — Council on Foreign Relations
- China confirms Xi-Trump summit delayed by Iran war — Straits Times
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