Trump Departs for China Amid Iran War as Global Power Balance Shifts Nine Years Later

BEIJING — U.S. President Donald Trump departed Wednesday morning for an official visit to China while the war involving Iran continues to intensify. This marks Trump’s first visit to China in the past nine years. During his stay in Beijing, he is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Formal meetings between the two leaders are set for Thursday and Friday, with discussions expected to focus on trade, the Iran conflict, and the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Before departing, Trump said he would hold extensive discussions with Xi Jinping regarding Iran. Issuing a warning to Tehran, he stated, “Either they will make a deal, or they will move toward destruction. In the end, whatever happens, victory will be ours.” He also emphasized that the United States remains prepared for both military and diplomatic options.

When Trump first visited China in 2017, he received an exceptionally high-profile welcome from Beijing. However, much has changed since then. China now appears significantly more powerful and self-confident than before. Under Xi Jinping’s unprecedented third term, Beijing has accelerated its strategy of developing “new productive forces,” channeling massive investment into renewable energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. If Trump and his delegation wish to understand the kind of future China has been building over the past decade, observers say they will need to look beyond Beijing’s formal political center.

Meanwhile, the United States has increasingly faced accusations of becoming entangled in an unwanted conflict. Iran recently warned that if further attacks continue, it could move toward uranium enrichment levels as high as 90 percent. Analysts believe China’s role in resolving the Iran crisis could become highly significant during this visit, as Beijing is widely regarded as one of Iran’s key economic and strategic partners. Ahead of Trump’s arrival, Iran’s foreign minister had also visited Beijing for consultations.

At the same time, amid escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, China has urged Pakistan to intensify diplomatic efforts. According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi asked Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to play an active role in advancing dialogue between the United States and Iran. Wang also stressed that the reopening and management of the Strait of Hormuz must be handled carefully and responsibly. The diplomatic exchange took place as Trump was arriving in Beijing for his official visit.