Dear Focus Reader,

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14-15, after postponing the trip from its original late-March timeline, citing the need to remain in Washington during the ongoing war in Iran. Despite the delay, both sides have emphasized that leader-level engagement remains on track, with plans for a reciprocal visit by Xi to Washington later this year.

The upcoming summit will be the first visit to China by a U.S. president since 2017, when Trump last visited, and the first in-person engagement between the two leaders since late 2025. Trade tensions are expected to play a central role, particularly following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down tariffs imposed under emergency powers, narrowing Washington's leverage.

Meanwhile, the conflict in Iran continues to shape the broader economic and strategic landscape. Tehran's tight control over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas shipments, has disrupted energy markets and drawn in major stakeholders, including China, which purchases a significant share of Iranian oil exports. As Washington calls for international coordination to secure the waterway, Beijing has emphasized diplomatic engagement and de-escalation.

"The pressing priority is to actively promote peace talks, seize the opportunity of peace, and promote the cessation of the war," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said. Learn more on international relations by exploring our latest Focus content, including the Middle East conflict, global diplomacy, and more.