Officials said the U.S. president is likely to “apply pressure” on China over its purchases of Iranian oil during the war.
Published May 10, 2026
Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday night to discuss the Iran war and other issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
White House chief deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said the opening ceremony and talks would take place Thursday morning and the visit would conclude Friday. The United States plans to welcome Chinese leaders on a reciprocal visit later this year.
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Kerry said this week’s trip will have “huge symbolic importance” and will focus on “rebalancing our relationship with China and prioritizing reciprocity and equity to restore America’s economic independence.”
Trump’s visit, originally scheduled for earlier this year but postponed to March due to the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, comes as the U.S. president struggles to contain the fallout from the war at home and abroad.
A senior administration official told media outlets during an anonymous press conference on Sunday that Trump could force China to “put pressure” on Iran in areas such as oil sales and Iran’s purchases of dual-use supplies.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week accused China of “financing” Iran.
“Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and China buys 90% of Iran’s energy, so Iran is financing the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” Bessent told Fox News.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to attacks by the United States and Israel, restricting passage through the vital artery of global energy transport.
China has said it wants the war to end and last week welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi. At the same time, the Chinese government refuses to recognize the US government’s “unilateral” sanctions against Iran’s oil sector.
The turmoil caused by the war disrupted the world economy, and Asian countries dependent on imports from the Middle East were particularly hard hit.
Trump is also likely to mention China’s support for Russia during the talks, as well as rare earth minerals, a key resource for trade and the U.S. tech industry. Executives from aerospace manufacturer Boeing Co. and several agricultural companies will accompany the U.S. delegation.
The anonymous administration official said no change was expected in the U.S. position on Taiwan, a major sticking point in U.S.-China relations. China considers the autonomous island part of its territory, but the United States has deep security and economic commitments to Taiwan.
