Trump-Xi Meeting Imminent: Analysis Suggests Iran Situation Boosts Beijing's Bargaining Chip
With the upcoming 'Trump-Xi meeting,' analysis suggests the Iran situation has amplified Beijing's negotiating leverage. The U.S. urgently needs China's assistance to resolve the Iran issue, potentially leading Trump to make concessions on other matters, including Taiwan.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 09:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 10:01 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 10:53 (51 min after Collected)
Taipei, May 13 (CNA) The 'Trump-Xi meeting' is about to take place, with both sides expected to discuss three major issues: Iran, Taiwan, and economy and trade. Scholars analyze that the U.S. currently urgently needs China's assistance to end the Iran problem, and Trump will tend to make more concessions on other issues to meet Beijing's needs.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 11 that U.S. President Donald Trump would visit China from May 13 to 15. Trump will arrive in Beijing tonight for a state visit to China, and it is assessed that Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14.
Liu Fu-kuo, an adjunct research fellow at National Chengchi University's Institute of International Relations, told CNA that with Russia deeply entangled in conflict and preoccupied, China is currently the only country with a significant degree of influence over Iran. Trump is well aware that in the U.S.-Iran predicament, only China can deliver the 'final push' crucial effect, potentially facilitating a face-saving exit for Iran and stabilizing the situation through political negotiations in the short term.
He said that the Iran conflict has exceeded Trump's original expectations, and prolonged delays would affect U.S. Middle East strategic deployments and impact the Republican midterm elections. Dissatisfaction among the American public regarding high oil prices continues to accumulate. For Trump, the urgency to resolve the Iran conflict is pressing, and the U.S. needs China's help; for Beijing, this is precisely a bargaining chip.
In addition to discussions on the Iran conflict, the Trump-Xi meeting is also expected to touch upon issues such as Taiwan and trade. Liu Fu-kuo mentioned that the current situation sees the U.S. needing China more than China needs the U.S. It's an inevitable interaction in negotiations where China gives a little, and the U.S. concedes a little. The U.S. urgently needs China's assistance with the Iran problem, and naturally, the U.S. will make more concessions on the other two issues to meet Beijing's needs.
He stated that if China significantly purchases U.S. agricultural products, energy, and minerals, it would be like Trump bringing a 'big gift' back, and the U.S. would inevitably have to reciprocate China. This is precisely the concern: Trump's transactional nature and fluctuating policy positions raise questions about whether he will adhere to principled issues, such as changing statements regarding Taiwan from 'not supporting Taiwan independence' to 'opposing Taiwan independence.' This is a potential risk.
Huang Chieh-cheng, Chairman of the Chinese Strategic and Wargaming Association, told CNA that Beijing believes there are two fundamental points regarding cross-strait relations: cross-strait affairs should be resolved by the people on both sides, and the Taiwan issue is a red line that cannot be crossed by the U.S. and China. The U.S. consistently states that it 'adheres to a one-China policy,' while Beijing expects the U.S. to adjust its wording.
Huang Chieh-cheng believes that Trump's style is unpredictable, and if he can strike a good deal, changing his statement on Taiwan might be something 'he might not care about saying.' Whether the Trump-Xi meeting will impact Taiwan should be observed after the meeting, for example, if U.S. arms sales to Taiwan slow down or decrease, or if obstacles to Taiwan's 'transit diplomacy' increase. 'Truth must be tested by facts.'
The Trump administration is facing pressure from midterm elections. Huang Chieh-cheng said that Trump urgently needs economic and diplomatic achievements to stabilize the domestic situation. If he can secure agreements like China's large-scale purchase of U.S. agricultural products, the effect will undoubtedly appear in the November vote; however, constrained by the Iran conflict, Trump's ability to 'bang the table' with Xi Jinping is not as strong right now.
He believes that both Trump and Xi Jinping are people who dislike losing. They will meet, exchange interests, and then promote 'Look, I succeeded!' domestically, which is precisely what both of them need right now. Both leaders hope the meeting will generate positive media effects, allowing them to focus on domestic issues after alleviating external conflict pressures. (Editor: Lu Chia-jung) 1150513
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 11 that U.S. President Donald Trump would visit China from May 13 to 15. Trump will arrive in Beijing tonight for a state visit to China, and it is assessed that Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14.
Liu Fu-kuo, an adjunct research fellow at National Chengchi University's Institute of International Relations, told CNA that with Russia deeply entangled in conflict and preoccupied, China is currently the only country with a significant degree of influence over Iran. Trump is well aware that in the U.S.-Iran predicament, only China can deliver the 'final push' crucial effect, potentially facilitating a face-saving exit for Iran and stabilizing the situation through political negotiations in the short term.
He said that the Iran conflict has exceeded Trump's original expectations, and prolonged delays would affect U.S. Middle East strategic deployments and impact the Republican midterm elections. Dissatisfaction among the American public regarding high oil prices continues to accumulate. For Trump, the urgency to resolve the Iran conflict is pressing, and the U.S. needs China's help; for Beijing, this is precisely a bargaining chip.
In addition to discussions on the Iran conflict, the Trump-Xi meeting is also expected to touch upon issues such as Taiwan and trade. Liu Fu-kuo mentioned that the current situation sees the U.S. needing China more than China needs the U.S. It's an inevitable interaction in negotiations where China gives a little, and the U.S. concedes a little. The U.S. urgently needs China's assistance with the Iran problem, and naturally, the U.S. will make more concessions on the other two issues to meet Beijing's needs.
He stated that if China significantly purchases U.S. agricultural products, energy, and minerals, it would be like Trump bringing a 'big gift' back, and the U.S. would inevitably have to reciprocate China. This is precisely the concern: Trump's transactional nature and fluctuating policy positions raise questions about whether he will adhere to principled issues, such as changing statements regarding Taiwan from 'not supporting Taiwan independence' to 'opposing Taiwan independence.' This is a potential risk.
Huang Chieh-cheng, Chairman of the Chinese Strategic and Wargaming Association, told CNA that Beijing believes there are two fundamental points regarding cross-strait relations: cross-strait affairs should be resolved by the people on both sides, and the Taiwan issue is a red line that cannot be crossed by the U.S. and China. The U.S. consistently states that it 'adheres to a one-China policy,' while Beijing expects the U.S. to adjust its wording.
Huang Chieh-cheng believes that Trump's style is unpredictable, and if he can strike a good deal, changing his statement on Taiwan might be something 'he might not care about saying.' Whether the Trump-Xi meeting will impact Taiwan should be observed after the meeting, for example, if U.S. arms sales to Taiwan slow down or decrease, or if obstacles to Taiwan's 'transit diplomacy' increase. 'Truth must be tested by facts.'
The Trump administration is facing pressure from midterm elections. Huang Chieh-cheng said that Trump urgently needs economic and diplomatic achievements to stabilize the domestic situation. If he can secure agreements like China's large-scale purchase of U.S. agricultural products, the effect will undoubtedly appear in the November vote; however, constrained by the Iran conflict, Trump's ability to 'bang the table' with Xi Jinping is not as strong right now.
He believes that both Trump and Xi Jinping are people who dislike losing. They will meet, exchange interests, and then promote 'Look, I succeeded!' domestically, which is precisely what both of them need right now. Both leaders hope the meeting will generate positive media effects, allowing them to focus on domestic issues after alleviating external conflict pressures. (Editor: Lu Chia-jung) 1150513