Trump's visit to China will focus on Iran issue, demand more pressure on Tehran, US officials say

Coverage Comparison

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing from May 13 to 15 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the Iran war expected to be a central topic of discussion, according to multiple reports. US officials, speaking anonymously in a briefing ahead of the trip, said Trump would "apply pressure" on China regarding its purchase of Iranian oil and other support for Tehran, as reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post. The visit, originally planned for late March, was postponed due to the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly described the trip as being of "tremendous symbolic significance," focusing on "rebalancing the relationship with China and prioritising reciprocity and fairness to restore American economic independence," per Al Jazeera. However, analysts point out that Iran may not be the top priority for either leader. Christopher Heurlin, an associate professor of government and Asian studies at Bowdoin College, told the South China Morning Post that "the Iran issue is not really the central issue for either party in this summit," noting that Taiwan remains China's top concern while Trump is likely to push for increased US agricultural exports.

Key Claims

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has accused China of "funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism" by purchasing Iranian oil, a claim reported by Al Jazeera. "Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism," Bessent told Fox News. China, however, has refused to recognize US sanctions on Iran's oil sector, and its foreign ministry has expressed frustration with the conflict, calling it a war that "should never have happened, has no reason to continue," according to a single outlet.

During a White House event on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that China has not challenged the US over Iran, saying, "We haven't been challenged by China. They don't challenge us." He highlighted his "very good relationship" with Xi, adding that Xi gets "like 60 per cent of his oil from Hormuz," and that the US has offered to supply oil if China sends ships to American ports. These remarks were carried by the South China Morning Post and TASS.

Trump also claimed that Xi agreed that Iran needs to open the Strait of Hormuz and that Tehran cannot have a nuclear weapon, a statement reported by the Jerusalem Post. However, this claim has not been independently verified by other sources.

Perspectives

US officials, as quoted in multiple outlets, expect the Iran issue to be a central part of the summit discussions. One senior American official said, "The president has spoken several times with Xi Jinping about Iran and Russia, including the economic support China provides these regimes, as well as goods, components, and parts transferred to them, not to mention the possibility of weapons exports." Another official added that Trump is expected to demand that China apply additional pressure on Tehran.

Chinese analysts and officials, as per the South China Morning Post, suggest that Beijing is reluctant to get involved in the crisis but may be willing to help in exchange for concessions from Washington, likely over Taiwan. China has hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and has called for an end to the war, but has stopped short of pressuring Tehran directly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement reported by the Jerusalem Post, said that the war with Iran is not over despite significant achievements, and that there is still nuclear material and enrichment sites that need to be removed from Iran. He also said he would speak with Trump about his trip to China and other developments.

Conclusion

The upcoming Trump-Xi summit in Beijing is set against a backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the US seeking Chinese cooperation on Iran even as trade and technology tensions remain unresolved. While US officials express optimism about China's role, analysts caution that Beijing's willingness to assist may hinge on what it can gain in return, particularly regarding Taiwan. The meeting, originally delayed by the war, will now test whether the two superpowers can find common ground on a crisis that has disrupted global oil markets.