Trump Threatens to Postpone Xi Summit If China Doesn't Help Secure Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has hinted that his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could be postponed if Beijing doesn't help secure the Strait of Hormuz, as the US-Israel war against Iran strains oil supplies and strains relations between the world's two largest economies. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump emphasized China's dependence on Middle Eastern oil and urged Beijing to get involved in ensuring the strategic sea lane remains open.
Trump said it was only natural that those who benefit most from the Strait of Hormuz should help prevent disruptions, while deeming his planned visit to Beijing later this month "too late" for the urgency of the situation. The day before, he also asked China to join a joint effort to send ships to the strait, through which about a fifth of the world's oil supply passes, amid growing market concern over shipping risks.
Beijing has not immediately responded to the request. The state-run Global Times dismissed the idea as an attempt by Trump to "spread the risk" of a war that "Washington started and cannot finish." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian did not comment on the ship dispatch at a Monday briefing but said the two sides remain in communication regarding the leaders' meeting, without specifying a timetable.
Trump's comments came as US and Chinese trade officials met in Paris to prepare for the summit, with talks resuming on Monday. Trump administration officials also said they were coordinating with allies like the UK, South Korea, and Japan to secure the strait, though many countries remained cautious about deploying resources in active war zones.
In China, some analysts believe Beijing's incentives to get involved are limited. Wu Xinbo of Fudan University said China has no interest in being dragged into a growing conflict, questioning the purpose of sending the ships if it means joining the US and its allies in confronting Iran. Chinese officials have also condemned war against Iran—Beijing's diplomatic partner—while some China-bound tankers are said to be able to pass, plus the presence of oil stocks that could help mitigate short-term disruptions.
The threat to postpone the summit is also seen as consistent with Trump's pattern of using ultimatums in the final stages of negotiations to gain leverage. The article noted that Trump had issued a similar threat ahead of a planned meeting with Xi in October, accompanied by talk of tariff increases, but the meeting went ahead and extended the trade war truce.
For Beijing, a postponement could even be advantageous. The cited source stated that China had previously proposed Trump's arrival at the end of April to allow for more thorough preparations. The rescheduling could also open up space for more extensive discussions on security and diplomatic issues, including Taiwan, amid growing geopolitical tensions stemming from the Hormuz crisis.
Source: Newsmaker.id
