The Chinese government announced on Monday that President Donald Trump is expected to visit from May 13 to 15, where he will have personal interactions with Xi Jinping.
The Chinese Communist Party typically does not confirm visits from foreign leaders ahead of time; they often wait until just before or even during the visit itself. Initially, Trump had planned to travel to China in April, but plans changed, and the trip was rescheduled for May after a military operation aimed at limiting Iranian international terrorism was extended without a resolution from Tehran.
The situation regarding Iran is anticipated to be a significant topic of discussion during Trump’s visit, given Xi’s close ties with the Iranian regime. China is known as the largest buyer of Iranian oil and is thought to be transferring military technology to Iran. The country is also part of BRICS, which is seen as an anti-American coalition led mostly by China. However, tensions have escalated, particularly after Iran’s response to the military operation led to attacks on the United Arab Emirates, making BRICS less relevant on the global stage.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun remarked that the personal engagement between Xi and Trump is considered “invaluable” for managing bilateral affairs.
This meeting will mark the first face-to-face encounter since the Busan summit last October and is notable as the first visit by a U.S. president to China in almost nine years. Guo highlighted that President Xi will engage in detailed discussions on important issues surrounding Sino-U.S. relations and overarching global peace and development.
Guo mentioned that diplomacy at the head-of-state level is crucial for offering strategic direction to China-U.S. relations. He expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with the U.S. and emphasized the need to handle differences amicably and work toward stability in an ever-changing world.
While Guo hinted at discussing independent topics, he did not address the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict directly. China’s involvement in the situation is critical, especially since Iran aims to disrupt commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for crude oil and natural gas, including supplies to China. Iranian actions have impeded Chinese trade, yet the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Chinese firms engaging with Iranian crude—a measure that also impacts China’s economy, though China has received assurances from the U.S. not to jeopardize Iranian interests.
Guo stated unequivocally that China opposes sanctions on smaller refineries purchasing Iranian oil, adding that they will staunchly defend the rights of Chinese businesses. He also mentioned that China’s priority is to avert further hostilities rather than exploit the situation to criticize other nations.
Despite repeated calls from China for Iran to cease its obstruction in the Strait of Hormuz, compliance remains absent. In a previous call, Xi urged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to encourage Iran to restore order. China is advocating for the immediate reopening of transportation routes, claiming it benefits both regional and global interests.
In preparation for Trump’s visit, Beijing recently hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who met with China’s Wang Yi, reinforcing the call for safe passage through the strait.
Reports indicated that discussions between Trump and Xi might prioritize the Iran issue, even as other key bilateral matters, like tariffs and restrictions on technology access, remain unresolved. Trump is not expected to bring many American business leaders with him, as the White House declined China’s invitation for industry-specific meetings, believing it might project an image of closeness to Beijing.
Trump is likely to negotiate China’s purchase of U.S. soybeans and Boeing planes, while Beijing may push for discussions on tariffs, Taiwan, and limitations concerning advanced technologies from the U.S.
