President Trump departed Tuesday for Beijing for a highly anticipated summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week
Trump and Xi are meeting in a two-day summit on May 14 and 15. Trump’s trip was initially delayed so he could help steward the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. The United States and Israel launched the attacks against Iran on Feb. 28.
Xi and Trump’s meeting is shaping Beijing's approach to the Iran conflict even as the world's top crude oil importer, reliant on the Middle East for half its fuel, seeks to protect its energy supplies.
Despite Trump’s trip to China being planned for months, it started to unravel as he pressured Beijing and other world leaders to use their military force to protect the Strait of Hormuz.