Trump-Xi Summit Locked for May Despite Iran Conflict Uncertainty

Key Details U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that preparations for President Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping remain on schedule for May 14-15 in Beijing. The summit was postponed from late March to allow Trump to focus on the ongoing Iran war, now in its second month. Greer stated there is no internal discussion about further delays despite the conflict. Why It Matters Stable U.S.-China relations are critical for global markets and trade. China imports significant oil from Iran, and the conflict has driven up energy prices worldwide with threats to the Strait of Hormuz. Any additional delays could unsettle financial markets already nervous about trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Next Steps U.S. officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently met with Chinese counterparts in Paris to establish groundwork for the summit. Greer indicated that additional preparatory meetings may not be necessary, citing ongoing staff-level communications to finalize outcomes. Both nations are prioritizing stability, with Greer expressing optimism about the U.S.-China relationship over the coming year despite lingering issues like Taiwan.