US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing on May 14–15 for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as confirmed by the White House. The meeting, long-awaited, will be held in Beijing, with plans for a reciprocal visit by Xi to Washington later this year. First Lady Melania Trump and President Trump will also host President Xi and Madame Peng for a return visit to Washington at a later date.
The decision to reschedule the meeting came after its postponement due to ongoing US military operations in Iran. The White House stated that discussions between the two leaders led to the rescheduling, with Beijing acknowledging the importance of President Trump remaining in Washington during the conflict. The meeting’s timing is not contingent on any specific outcome in the Iran conflict, clarified White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Amidst Washington’s military campaign against Iran, the meeting between Trump and Xi is anticipated to occur. The administration has indicated that military operations are progressing “ahead of schedule,” with an initial estimate of a four- to six-week timeline for the Iran campaign. The planned meeting in Beijing signifies a significant diplomatic engagement between the US and China amidst heightened geopolitical tensions involving trade, technology, and global influence.
