WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to leave Tuesday for Beijing to meet with President Xi Jinping after weeks of trying, and failing, to persuade the Chinese government to use its considerable leverage to prod Iran to agree to U.S. terms on its nuclear program, according to senior administration officials.
The visit comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with the Trump administration warning of potential military action if diplomatic efforts fail. The U.S. has accused Iran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from in 2018, and has imposed sanctions to pressure Tehran.
China, a signatory to the nuclear deal and Iran's largest trading partner, has resisted U.S. calls to cut oil imports from Iran. The White House hopes Trump's personal diplomacy with Xi can shift Beijing's stance, though analysts doubt China will abandon its economic ties with Iran.
The meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2026, in Beijing, with discussions expected to cover trade, North Korea, and the Iran situation. No joint statement has been announced.
