EditorialChina policy to stay on course despite delay to Xi-Trump summit

Although Trump is on the back foot and China may have the advantage, this will not affect Beijing’s consistent approach in dealing with the US

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Talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing had been scheduled for March 31 to April 2.

Published: 7:15am, 18 Mar 2026

Washington’s request to reschedule US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing reflects the reality that the war in Iran has not followed the script. It was anticipated that superior American power would result in a quick victory over Iran, which China considers a strategic partner and oil supplier, well ahead of a summit with President Xi Jinping.

The United States has done all the running in the preparations for the visit, including announcing the dates of March 31 to April 2. China had made no official announcement.

The groundwork includes the latest round of trade talks in Paris between lead negotiators Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Another round of talks is likely soon. In this regard, buying one more month is good for both sides.

Trump asked Beijing for a delay of “a month or so”. “We got a war going on. I think it’s important that I be here,” he told reporters. The war is not going as smoothly as expected, from the disruption of the oil trade to the reluctance of the US’ allies to join it. Trump is on the back foot and under pressure domestically.

In that sense, the delay to the keenly anticipated summit may be to China’s advantage. But it will not affect its consistent approach in dealing with the US – that the two major powers must cooperate and seek common ground for the sake of global stability and mutual benefit. The delay does not mean, therefore, that bilateral communications are not working. In that regard, the Paris trade talks were key. They have helped pave the way for a summit between Xi and Trump at the right time with the right expectations.

The prevailing goal was stability. Chinese Vice-Commerce Minister Li Chenggang said both sides agreed to “continue to maintain the stability of tariffs” and discussed the possibility of a mechanism for promoting bilateral investment.

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Although Trump is on the back foot and China may have the advantage, this will not affect Beijing’s consistent approach in dealing with the US

Although Trump is on the back foot and China may have the advantage, this will not affect Beijing’s consistent approach in dealing with the US