US-China Tensions Rise, China Responds Cautiously on Trump's Potential Visit Amid Iran Concerns
Amid escalating US-China tensions over the Middle East and tariffs, the impact on President Trump's potential visit to China is under scrutiny. The US Treasury Secretary criticized China as an "unreliable partner," and the US warned of tariffs if China militarily aids Iran. China's Foreign Ministry responded cautiously, stating they are "maintaining communication on this matter." Experts suggest a high probability of Trump's visit being postponed due to the worsening Middle East situation.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 17:58
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Taipei, April 15 (CNA) Regarding US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's statement that China is an "unreliable partner" on the Middle East issue, and China's warning of countermeasures if the US imposes additional tariffs due to China's military aid to Iran, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia-kun today responded cautiously, merely stating that both sides are "maintaining communication on this matter" concerning President Trump's potential visit to China.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry held its regular press conference this afternoon. According to a report by The Paper, Guo Jia-kun made the above statement when answering questions from foreign media. He also cautiously stated that regarding the situation in Iran, China has "repeatedly expressed its solemn position."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the media on April 14, Eastern US time, that China has been an "unreliable global partner" three times in the past five years. The first was during COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease), "when they hoarded medical supplies"; the second was regarding rare earths.
Bessent then directly pointed out that after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of global oil shipments, China not only failed to help alleviate the global supply shortage but also hoarded more oil and cut off exports of many products.
US President Donald Trump stated on April 12 regarding recent rumors of China's alleged military aid to Iran that if China indeed provides weapons to Iran, the US will impose a 50% tariff on China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded on April 14, saying that if the US insists on using this as an excuse to impose additional tariffs on China, China will resolutely retaliate.
The South China Morning Post reported on April 13 that Trump had postponed his visit to China until May to deal with the Iran war, but US-Iran negotiations recently broke down, and the US military imposed a naval blockade on Iran. Some analysts believe that if the Strait of Hormuz crisis is not resolved, the possibility of Trump's visit to China in May may decrease, putting China in a dilemma.
The newspaper reported today that US experts are divided on whether Trump will further postpone his mid-May visit to China. Jeff Moon, head of China Moon Strategies, stated that there is more than a 50% chance that the "Trump-Xi summit" will be postponed again, as the US-Iran war will continue to consume Trump's energy, and the war's impact is spreading everywhere and cannot be ignored. If it is proven that China is militarily aiding Iran, there is a 90% chance that the visit will be postponed indefinitely.
Bonnie Glaser, Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at The German Marshall Fund, believes that although the US-Iran war continues, Trump still values the summit. This is because "it will primarily be an event to show pomp and ceremony." (Editors: Chiu Kuo-chiang/Tang Pei-chun) 1150415
The Chinese Foreign Ministry held its regular press conference this afternoon. According to a report by The Paper, Guo Jia-kun made the above statement when answering questions from foreign media. He also cautiously stated that regarding the situation in Iran, China has "repeatedly expressed its solemn position."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the media on April 14, Eastern US time, that China has been an "unreliable global partner" three times in the past five years. The first was during COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease), "when they hoarded medical supplies"; the second was regarding rare earths.
Bessent then directly pointed out that after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of global oil shipments, China not only failed to help alleviate the global supply shortage but also hoarded more oil and cut off exports of many products.
US President Donald Trump stated on April 12 regarding recent rumors of China's alleged military aid to Iran that if China indeed provides weapons to Iran, the US will impose a 50% tariff on China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded on April 14, saying that if the US insists on using this as an excuse to impose additional tariffs on China, China will resolutely retaliate.
The South China Morning Post reported on April 13 that Trump had postponed his visit to China until May to deal with the Iran war, but US-Iran negotiations recently broke down, and the US military imposed a naval blockade on Iran. Some analysts believe that if the Strait of Hormuz crisis is not resolved, the possibility of Trump's visit to China in May may decrease, putting China in a dilemma.
The newspaper reported today that US experts are divided on whether Trump will further postpone his mid-May visit to China. Jeff Moon, head of China Moon Strategies, stated that there is more than a 50% chance that the "Trump-Xi summit" will be postponed again, as the US-Iran war will continue to consume Trump's energy, and the war's impact is spreading everywhere and cannot be ignored. If it is proven that China is militarily aiding Iran, there is a 90% chance that the visit will be postponed indefinitely.
Bonnie Glaser, Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at The German Marshall Fund, believes that although the US-Iran war continues, Trump still values the summit. This is because "it will primarily be an event to show pomp and ceremony." (Editors: Chiu Kuo-chiang/Tang Pei-chun) 1150415