US President Donald Trump has said he intends to delay a planned visit to China, citing the need to remain in Washington as the conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Get today's headlines by email Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said the trip — originally scheduled for late March — would likely be pushed back by around a month. He stressed that his presence in the United States was necessary to oversee developments related to the war. “We’ve requested that we delay it a month or so,” he said, adding that managing the conflict was his priority. Talks with Beijing continue over timingThe visit had been expected to include high-level discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping between 31 March and 2 April, following their previous in-person meeting in October last year. China confirmed that discussions were ongoing بشأن the timing of the trip. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said both sides were in communication over “the timing and related matters” of Trump’s visit. Despite the delay, Trump signalled that relations with Beijing remained stable, describing his relationship with Xi as positive and expressing his intention to meet in the near future. Iran war reshapes foreign policy prioritiesThe decision to postpone the trip reflects how the Iran conflict has come to dominate US foreign policy in recent weeks. The war has disrupted global oil supplies, raising concerns about economic fallout, including higher energy prices. Officials say these developments require close coordination from Washington. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the delay was not linked to trade disagreements or pressure on China to assist in the Gulf, but rather to ensure the president could focus on managing the crisis. “Travelling abroad at a time like this may not be optimal,” he said. Broader tensions remainThe postponement comes amid ongoing tensions between the world’s two largest economies, which have been further strained by the Iran conflict. China, a major importer of Iranian oil, has criticised US and Israeli actions in the region. At the same time, Washington has raised concerns over Chinese trade practices and recently announced plans to investigate several countries, including China. Recent negotiations between US and Chinese officials in Paris have addressed issues such as tariffs, investment and sanctions. Both sides indicated progress on some matters and agreed to continue discussions. However, Chinese representatives expressed concern over potential US trade probes and called for measures to maintain global economic stability. Strategic visit delayed, not cancelledWhile the meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to be rescheduled, the delay underscores the extent to which the Iran war is reshaping diplomatic priorities. Trump also suggested he could reconsider the timing of the trip depending on developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. For now, the focus remains on managing the ongoing conflict, even as diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing continues behind the scenes. oin the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 March 2026
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