In Hong Kong, fresh indications suggest that the decision by Donald Trump to delay a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping may actually play to Beijing’s advantage.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the delay could help both sides avoid the growing complications linked to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran — a country widely seen as China’s most important strategic partner in the Middle East.
Trump recently proposed pushing the meeting back by five to six weeks, even though it had initially been scheduled for late March. While he claimed that China was comfortable with the delay, Beijing has neither confirmed the visit nor officially responded to the timeline.
Publicly, China has maintained a cautious but positive tone. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian noted that high-level meetings between both countries remain crucial, describing them as “irreplaceable” in managing bilateral relations.
Behind the scenes, however, uncertainty remains. Sources say the summit may not go ahead at all, especially if the conflict in Iran escalates in a way that directly affects Chinese citizens or assets in the region.
For Beijing, the delay offers strategic breathing room. Analysts believe that the longer the war drags on, the more pressure Trump faces at home — politically and economically — which could weaken his position ahead of any negotiations with China.
Some experts argue that the U.S. president is already entering talks from a less favourable position. A recent Supreme Court ruling that blocked his emergency tariffs, combined with the unpredictable fallout of the Iran conflict, has complicated his broader strategy.
Meanwhile, China appears to be positioning itself carefully. While it may face economic risks from global instability, the situation also presents an opportunity to strengthen its image as a stable and reliable global power — especially at a time when some countries are growing wary of U.S. foreign policy decisions.
Diplomatic preparations for a summit between Trump and Xi are typically detailed and time-consuming, involving months of negotiations over everything from policy language to protocol. Reports suggest that initial preparations for the now-delayed meeting were not fully complete, making the postponement somewhat beneficial for both sides.
Recent talks between officials from both countries in Paris were seen as groundwork for the summit, but key diplomatic steps — such as advance visits by top U.S. officials — had yet to take place.
Looking ahead, experts believe the most likely path for U.S.-China relations is continued rivalry, balanced by periodic efforts to stabilise ties. Neither side appears ready to abandon diplomacy entirely, but external factors — particularly the Iran war — could easily disrupt progress.
For now, Beijing seems content to wait, observe, and potentially capitalise on any shifts in Washington’s position as the global situation continues to unfold.
