Trump Delays Trip to China for 'Five or Six Weeks'

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he would delay his trip to China by "five or six weeks," officially postponing the major summit as administration officials focus on the war with Iran.

"We're resetting the meeting, and it looks like it'll take place in about five weeks," Trump said, later clarifying it could be five or six weeks. "We're working with China. They were fine with it."

Trump expressed eagerness to meet with China's President Xi Jinping, stating, "we have a very good working relationship with China."

White House officials cast doubt on the trip's timing on Monday, indicating it could be delayed due to the president's focus on Iran. On Monday, Trump told reporters the administration requested to postpone the visit by "a month or so."

Trump was initially scheduled to visit China from March 31 to April 2, according to the White House. The meeting was expected to focus on trade issues amid ongoing tensions between the two countries over tariffs. Last month, the Supreme Court struck down many of Trump's tariffs, reshaping the economic landscape.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday, "we will see whether the visit takes place as scheduled," adding that if the trip is delayed, "it wouldn’t be delayed because the president’s demanded that China police the Straits of Hormuz."

In a phone interview with The Financial Times, Trump said he sought China's assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route, and wanted Beijing's response before the visit.

Following Bessent's comments, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Trump's "utmost responsibility right now as commander in chief is to ensure the continued success of Operation Epic Fury, as he’s working 24/7 here at the White House and at home."

Last year, Trump's trade policies triggered a tariff escalation between the U.S. and China before settling into a truce. Experts had previously noted that the summit was unlikely to produce a major breakthrough between the two sides.