BEIJING — President Donald Trump’s looming meeting with China’s Xi Jinping will face fresh tensions after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed its China-friendly supreme leader.
It’s the second time in two months that the United States has taken military action against one of China’s key economic partners, following its surprise capture in January of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
But China has largely limited its response to stern statements, a pattern it repeated after the raid in Caracas despite warm relations with Venezuela.
China is “proving to be a feckless friend for its authoritarian allies,” said U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns on X.
Experts say that while China is concerned about the Iran conflict, it may not jeopardize Trump’s upcoming visit, scheduled to begin March 31. Both Trump and Xi are seeking to extend a fragile trade truce between the world’s two biggest economies.
Beijing has not yet confirmed the dates of the trip, which could coincide with a U.S. Operation in Iran that Trump has said may last “four to five weeks” or longer.
“I haven’t heard any plan to delay or derail that visit,” Wang Huiyao, founder and president of the Center for China and Globalization, told NBC News Wednesday.
The Iran conflict could give greater urgency to a meeting between China, the Middle East’s largest trading partner, and the U.S., the region’s largest security partner.
Though China opposes Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, it has been a lifeline for heavily sanctioned Iran, a “comprehensive strategic partner” with which it signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.
About 80% of Iran’s crude oil exports go to China, the world’s largest energy importer, but Iranian oil accounts for only about 13% of China’s total oil imports.
The China-Iran relationship is “practical” in nature, said Peiyu Yang, an assistant professor at George Mason University.
China has criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law, and urged Iran to consider the concerns of neighboring countries.
China has investments in Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Iran’s retaliatory strikes have hit civilian targets. A shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz “could be a major shock to China’s oil supply.”
A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could relieve strategic pressure on China regarding its military build-up in the Asia-Pacific, and potentially create an opening for action regarding Taiwan.
The war in Iran could also bolster China’s efforts to present itself as an alternative to American global leadership, as some in the Global South may lose trust in the Trump administration.
For now, experts say China is taking a wait-and-see approach and will adapt as the situation in Iran evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What military actions has the U.S. Recently taken against partners of China?
The U.S. Has recently captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January and conducted strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader.
What is China’s stated position on the U.S. Strikes in Iran?
China has criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law.
Is China likely to delay its upcoming meeting with President Trump?
Experts say China may not delay the meeting, which is scheduled to begin March 31, as both countries seek to extend a trade truce.
How might a prolonged conflict in the Middle East reshape the geopolitical landscape and the balance of power between the U.S. And China?
