Agenda disrupted
Preparations have been underway for months for this trip, which is supposed to allow Donald Trump to talk with his counterpart Xi Jinping, and possibly durably defuse the trade war between the two giants. But the conflict in the Middle East, now in its eighteenth day, is disrupting the agenda as well as the relationship between the two powers.
The presidency states, to whoever wants to hear it, that this postponement has nothing to do with the Iranian issue, but doubts remain. Just reread the interview that Donald Trump gave to the Financial Times last weekend. He invites Beijing to mobilize to protect the free flow of oil in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump argues that the main beneficiaries of this trade should help ensure that nothing serious happens there.
‘Logistical’ reasons
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had already mentioned, on Monday, March 16, a possible postponement, reassuring CNBC that it would be for “logistical” reasons and not to pressure Beijing. A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, said, “China and the United States remain in communication concerning President Trump’s visit.” He refrained from commenting on potential Chinese assistance to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
Is the White House trying to pressure the Chinese authorities by manipulating the timing of this trip? Several analysts warn that coercion is very unlikely to work when it comes to Xi Jinping.
The world’s factoryFor Westerners, China is both a recourse and a mirage in dealing with Donald Trump.
