Delay in Trump’s China visit gives both sides time to hammer out trade deal

Trump cited the Iran war for the delay, a reason analysts said Beijing can accept publicly, even if scepticism remains. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BEIJING – US President Donald Trump’s decision to delay his planned visit to China by about a month may offer both sides a useful window to firm up their objectives for the closely watched leaders’ summit, even as Washington frames the postponement in a way that avoids inflaming tensions with Beijing.

Analysts said Washington’s explanation – that domestic considerations amid the ongoing Middle East conflict were the reason for the postponement, rather than frustration over China’s stance on not helping to secure the Strait of Hormuz – is one that Beijing can accept publicly, even if it might be viewed with some scepticism behind closed doors.

Mr Han Shen Lin, China managing director for The Asia Group consultancy, told The Straits Times that while Beijing will accept it publicly, they will “read between the lines”.

“With China’s refusal (to support US efforts) in the Strait of Hormuz still fresh, few in Zhongnanhai will believe scheduling is the real reason,” said Mr Lin, referring to the compound in Beijing where China’s top leaders work.

On March 15, Mr Trump said he was urging some seven countries to send warships to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that Tehran has mostly blocked, causing oil and gas prices to spike.

While the US President did not name the countries he had requested support from, he had said in a Truth Social post the day before that he hoped “China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and others that are affected by this artificial constraint” would send ships to the region.