Looking for leverage: China keeps close eye on US politics after summit delay

The Guardian US News
by Amy Hawkins Senior China correspondent
March 18, 2026
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3 min read

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China postpones Trump summit visit originally scheduled for late March as Middle East conflict complicates negotiations.

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The White House announced Wednesday that China agreed to postpone President Trump's planned visit to Beijing, originally scheduled for late March, as conflict in the Middle East complicates his domestic and international standing. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were set to meet in person for the first time since October, with Trump previously seeking to delay the trip by five to six weeks. Beijing is closely monitoring how the Iran war affects US midterm politics and calculating the optimal leverage point for negotiations when the summit eventually takes place. The delay underscores the intersection of Trump's foreign policy challenges and his political position at home, with China strategically positioned to assess how Middle East developments reshape the US political landscape before high-stakes talks resume.

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The White House announced China agreed to postpone Trump's planned visit to Beijing by five to six weeks.

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