Iran war may give China, Xi, some leverage on Trump at Beijing summit

U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday and Friday, marking their first face-to-face meeting since October. The summit, originally postponed due to the Iran war, comes as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes—threaten global energy markets and strain U.S. strategic positioning. The Iran conflict has left Trump in a weakened position, with high gas prices and military setbacks complicating negotiations. Experts suggest both sides prioritize stabilizing U.S.-China relations despite the crisis, though Iran’s disruptions create an opportunity for China to exert influence. Beijing has built up oil reserves to offset shortages and defied U.S. sanctions on Iranian crude, threatening countermeasures against compliant businesses. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, reaffirming support for diplomatic talks and a ceasefire. While China benefits from U.S. military engagements in the Persian Gulf—potentially diverting resources from Taiwan—it also faces economic risks from disrupted trade routes. Analysts note China’s selective use of leverage with Iran, balancing its role as a global trading power with strategic interests in the region. The summit will likely address U.S. demands for China’s cooperation on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, alongside broader issues like technology access, trade, and Taiwan. Trump has signaled a desire to end the Iran conflict, but China’s stance remains cautious, prioritizing stability over immediate U.S. requests.