Cancelled! Trump and Xi Jinping Meeting Postponed, Here's Why
US President Donald Trump has stated that his administration has requested to postpone a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Trump disclosed that the postponement is expected to take approximately one month due to the ongoing military conflict involving Washington and Iran.
Trump had previously been scheduled to travel to China at the end of March for a high-level meeting with Xi. However, the certainty regarding this agenda has now become uncertain due to escalating military tensions involving Washington.
When asked in the Oval Room on Monday afternoon local time whether the travel plans would proceed, Trump indicated a change in diplomatic strategy. He mentioned that the US is currently attempting to reschedule the meeting.
“We are talking with China. I would very much like to do it, but because of this war, I want to be here. I feel I should be here,” Trump said, as quoted by AFP on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
Trump further confirmed that the postponement request has been formally communicated to Beijing. He maintained that the relationship between the two leaders remains in good standing despite the schedule suspension.
“So, we have asked for it to be postponed for a month or more. I very much look forward to meeting with him. We have a very good relationship,” Trump said.
This statement comes amid renewed tensions between the two global economic powers. The situation has been triggered by the outbreak of war with Iran and the United States’ announcement of a new investigation into Chinese trade practices.
Nevertheless, Trump insisted in his comments that the postponement proposal is solely due to the necessity of his presence in the United States to manage the war situation. He denied any hidden motives behind the decision to delay the important diplomatic schedule.
“There is no trick in it either. It is very straightforward. We are facing a war. I think it is important for me to be here,” Trump added.
Senior officials in Trump’s administration, including the president himself, had previously signalled that war with Iran could disrupt the high-profile summit meeting in China. This aligns with Trump’s statement to the Financial Times on Sunday.
Trump told the media outlet that China, as the primary buyer of Iranian oil exports and opposed to the war, should help the US break Iran’s de facto blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This passage is a vital global energy corridor for world market stability.
He also emphasised that waiting to take action until after the summit concludes would be a belated step. However, this firm statement appeared to soften through clarification from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Logistical Reasons
Bessent stated on Monday morning that the rescheduling of the summit is purely due to logistical reasons. Having recently met with counterparts from China in Paris over the weekend, he sought to dampen speculation of rigid political demands.
“It will not be postponed because the president is demanding that China maintain security in the Strait of Hormuz,” Bessent said, speaking with CNBC International.
Similarly, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Monday morning that it was very likely the meeting would be postponed. This announcement contrasted with analysts’ predictions at the end of February.
Several days after the US launched its first attack on Iran, analysts told CNBC that they did not anticipate the conflict would prevent the Trump-Xi meeting. However, they warned that circumstances could change drastically depending on how the war develops.
Last week, Trump’s administration launched a new investigation into potentially unfair trade practices by China and more than a dozen other countries. The investigation was announced after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s largest tariffs, including significant levies previously imposed on imports from China.