US president Donald Trump says he will meet Chinese president Xi Jinping in China on May 14-15, 2026, after delaying the landmark trip amid the US-Iran war.
This visit would mark the first by a US president to China in nearly 10 years.
Trump is also set to host Xi in Washington DC later in the year, with officials finalizing preparations for these historic visits, he wrote on Truth Social.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the dates of Trump's visit, noting that President Xi had accepted the request to postpone due to ongoing military combat operations.
President Xi understood that it's very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now, Leavitt stated in a press briefing.
While Beijing has not confirmed the dates mentioned by Trump, it generally does not disclose Xi's schedule far in advance.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian mentioned that both sides are in communication regarding Trump's visit, emphasizing the importance of leader-level diplomacy in guiding bilateral ties.
Originally, Trump's trip was scheduled for March 31, but the current escalation in Iran, following US and Israeli military actions leading to significant unrest, prompted the delay. The situation escalated further when Iran retaliated, affecting key waterways critical for global oil supply and leading to a fuel crisis.
Trump has called on US allies to assist in unblocking the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and warned Iran of potential actions against its energy sector if it doesn't restore access.
When asked if the conflict might subside by the time of the China visit, Leavitt estimated it could take about four to six weeks.
The last visit by a US president to China occurred in November 2017, marking a lengthy gap in high-level engagements. Trump's prior meeting with Xi was in October 2025 on the sidelines of the APEC summit, where their discussions were impacted by ongoing trade tensions and technological rivalries.
Ahead of Trump's visit, Chinese state media have encouraged interactions between US officials and their Chinese counterparts, citing the need for increased exchanges to enhance understanding.
A Global Times editorial highlighted the abnormal lack of exchanges over the years, stating, History has shown that both China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.
