Trump Focuses on War Against Iran, China Visit Postponed for a Month
JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump admitted that he wanted to postpone his visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for at least one month due to the ongoing war with Iran.
"I would love to [go to China], but because of the war, I have to be here," Trump said of the meeting, which was originally scheduled for March 31-April 2.
"So we ask that the visit be postponed for about a month. I look forward to meeting him. We have a very good relationship," he said, referring to Xi in a statement on Monday, March 16.
Reported by ANTARA from Kyodo, a few hours earlier, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the visit to China could be rescheduled because Trump needed to focus on the US and Israel's war against Iran.
"As commander-in-chief, my top priority right now is ensuring the success of this operation, Epic Fury. We will announce the date soon," he said.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said Trump wanted to stay in Washington to coordinate the war effort.
"Traveling abroad at this time may not be the optimal choice," he said.
The statement came a day after Trump told the Financial Times he could delay his meeting with Xi if China did not help the US open the Iranian-blocked Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.
Trump has continued to pressure countries that rely on Middle Eastern oil, including Japan and South Korea, to send warships to secure the vital shipping lanes.
During the meeting at the White House, Trump again called for support to open the strait, which is a route for about 20 percent of the world's oil supplies.
He also claimed many countries were ready to help, but did not explain which countries were supporting and which were not.
As the war enters its third week with no end in sight, the prospects for Trump's first visit to China in his second term are increasingly uncertain.
However, the economic officials of the two countries still held a two-day meeting in Paris and agreed to maintain close communication.