US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China on May 14 and 15 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping after his originally planned March visit was postponed due to the ongoing war in Iran.
Confirming the revised schedule, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump’s trip to China will now take place in mid-May instead of the earlier proposed dates between March 31 and April.
She also confirmed that President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump expect to host President Xi during a visit to the United States later this year.
When asked whether the delay was caused by the war in Iran, Leavitt rejected any concerns and stated that President Xi had understood the need for Trump to remain in Washington during the current combat operations.
“President Xi understood that it’s very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now. He understood, obviously, the request to postpone and accepted it, which is why we have new dates on the books,” she said.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Iran is nearing its one-month mark, despite repeated White House assurances that the US is winning the war. Iran continues to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, preventing US and allied tankers from passing through the critical chokepoint.
This closure has sent shockwaves through the international community, including China.
Recent analysis by analytics firm Kpler revealed that in 2025, more than 80 per cent of Iranian oil shipments — about 1.38 million barrels per day — were purchased by Beijing. China has called for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution, but has not sided with the United States. When asked to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Beijing has remained cautious.
“The recent tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby has impacted the route for international goods and energy trade, disrupting peace and stability in the region and beyond,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said last week.
Despite the escalating tensions in West Asia, Trump is keen to make his second visit to China in less than ten years. The two leaders last met briefly on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in South Korea in October.
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