Iran war could give Xi the upper hand in meeting with Trump: US experts

American experts are weighing in on the potential geopolitical ramifications of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, suggesting it could significantly alter the dynamics of an upcoming summit between former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The prevailing view among these experts is that the war could inadvertently bolster Beijing's negotiating position on critical issues like high-tech supply chains and the status of Taiwan.

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He’s not going to move to reschedule it.

This strategic shift is particularly noteworthy given the timing. The summit, anticipated to commence around May 14, marks a significant diplomatic event: the first visit by a US president to China in over eight years and Trump's inaugural overseas trip since the US and Israel launched their offensive against Iran on February 28. While the trip has not been officially confirmed by Beijing, its potential to reshape US-China relations is immense.

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The US-Israel war on Iran could bolster Beijing’s leverage on issues such as hi-tech supply chains and Taiwan during the coming Trump-Xi summit, according to American experts.

According to Ali Wyne of the International Crisis Group, the Iran conflict is likely to be one of two "pressing imperatives" during the Beijing talks. The other crucial objective would be to extend the trade truce that Trump and Xi agreed upon last October. The war's shadow over these discussions could empower China, allowing it to press its advantage on trade and technology while the US remains preoccupied with Middle Eastern security concerns.

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Discussing the Iran war would likely be one of two “pressing imperatives” when the leaders met in Beijing, said Ali Wyne, a senior research and advocacy adviser on US-China relations at the International Crisis Group.