A weakened Trump to test China's appetite for deal-making

Donald Trump’s long-awaited summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, rescheduled from six weeks ago, will take place in Beijing this Thursday and Friday amid heightened tensions. The meeting was initially postponed after Trump’s military strike on Iran, which left his administration struggling with surging oil prices and plummeting approval ratings ahead of November’s midterm elections. Analysts warn the summit may yield little progress, with China showing no urgency to engage in U.S.-led conflicts or make major concessions. Beijing has instead adopted a cautious strategy, avoiding overt support for Iran while benefiting from the energy crisis by expanding oil reserves and green energy investments. Trump’s weakened position has shifted his approach toward China, with reports of a softer stance compared to his first term. His administration now seeks Chinese influence to end the Iran conflict, though Beijing has repeatedly distanced itself from the dispute, framing it as a U.S.-created problem. China’s economic interests further complicate its stance—while it avoids deepening the Iran war, a global recession would harm its export-dependent economy. Experts note Beijing’s dual concern: preventing U.S. overreach without destabilizing its own economic recovery. The summit’s timing, just weeks before the midterms, adds pressure on Trump to secure a symbolic victory. However, China’s measured response suggests it remains focused on long-term stability over short-term diplomatic gestures.