
Trump Expected to Press Xi on Iran During High-Stakes Beijing Summit
President Donald Trump is expected to pressure China’s president, Xi Jinping, on Iran at their summit scheduled for later this week. The meeting had been scheduled for March but was delayed because of the war with Iran.
Trump will touch down in Beijing Wednesday evening local time and will attend a welcome ceremony and meeting with Xi Thursday morning, according to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. Thursday afternoon’s tour of the Temple of Heaven will be followed by a state banquet Thursday evening. Friday, the two leaders are expected to take tea together, followed by lunch.
Throughout all of this extravaganza, there will be discussions. Trump is expected to press Xi on aid to Iran, which the two have previously discussed, including “dual-use goods, components and parts, not to mention the potential of weapons exports,” according to a senior U.S. official.
Trump is seeking to improve trade and economic ties with China amid rising tensions between the two countries. Last week, the administration sanctioned three Chinese companies it accused of providing Tehran with satellite imagery that helped its military survey U.S. forces in the region.
“I think you’ve seen some actions, meaning sanctions, coming out from the U.S. side just in the last few days that I’m sure will be part of that conversation,” the official said.
As part of the U.S. effort to squeeze Iran economically, the U.S. has also sanctioned Chinese companies that purchase more than 80% of Iran’s crude oil for further processing in what are known as “teapot” refineries.
On the other hand, some analysts believe China can leverage its enormous influence over Iran to pressure the regime to end the war.
The official said that Trump will “apply pressure,” but he did not specify what form that pressure would take.