Trending Now - Trump-xi Summit Postponed Amid Ongoing Iran Conflict

WHO:

President Trump, Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Wu Xinbo (director at the Center for American Studies at Fudan University), Rana Mitter (expert in US-Asia relations at Harvard Kennedy School), Neil Thomas (research fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis), Charles Austin Jordan (senior research analyst at Rhodium Group), US Commerce Secretary Scott Bessent, China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng.

WHAT:

The summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.

The proposed delay is “5-to-6 weeks” from the originally scheduled dates of March 31 to April 2, 2026.

Trump stated that “China is fine with” the delay of the meeting.

Preparations for the summit were considered “insufficient” and its delay has caused some relief.

WHERE:

The meeting was planned to take place in China.

WHEN:

The summit was originally scheduled for March 31 to April 2, 2026.

The Iran war is ongoing as of March 2026.

WHY:

The delay is intended to sidestep complications related to the US’ war with Iran, which is China’s most important strategic partner in the Middle East.

Concerns exist that if the war in Iran causes major casualties of Chinese citizens or damage to Chinese assets, President Trump would not be able to attend the summit.

Experts suggest that a prolonged conflict could weaken Trump’s negotiating position with China.

HOW:

Delegations led by China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Commerce Secretary Scott Bessent have been conducting talks in Paris to lay the groundwork for the summit.

The Trump administration's approach to preparing for the visit differs from previous administrations, lacking a preparatory trip by either the US Secretary of State or the National Security Advisor.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 01:40 UTC)

The summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping, originally set for March 31 to April 2, has been postponed for about five to six weeks due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. Trump mentioned that China is fine with the delay, which has been seen as a relief given the insufficient preparations for the meeting. Meanwhile, delegations led by China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Commerce Secretary Scott Bessent are currently in Paris to lay the groundwork for the rescheduled summit.