Trump goes to China as Iran war smolders

"“It is remarkable that President Trump is prepared to go to China under these circumstances,” said Kurt Campbell, chairman of The Asia Group and a top Biden administration adviser on China. “But may I also say that it's also deeply unusual that China is prepared to host him.” China and Iran are close allies and trading partners, and the U.S. has just spent weeks bombing Iran and is now blockading all ships connected to Iran."

"“It suggests that both believe they have interests in meeting,” said Campbell. “And I think part of that is a desire to keep a relationship that is fraught and challenging with a degree at least of equilibrium.” A senior U.S. official not authorized to speak publicly said a better question would be “why would [Trump] not continue” with this trip and all the other duties that he has as president."

"Grand ceremonies and grand gestures are on the agenda along with trade talks and the possibility of creating a “U.S.-China Board of Trade” to manage what has been a challenging relationship between the two countries. They may also discuss AI technology, the official said, at least to establish “some channels of deconfliction.”"

"When President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last fall in South Korea, the two leaders turned down the temperature on what had been an escalating trade war. “From zero to 10 with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12,” Trump said on Air Force One after the meeting, where plans were made for this"

A U.S. state visit to China is scheduled to proceed despite delays tied to the war with Iran. The Iran ceasefire is described as being on massive life support, with the conflict remaining unstable. China is portrayed as a close ally and trading partner of Iran, while the U.S. has recently bombed Iran and is blockading ships connected to Iran. Questions remain about whether China has assisted Iran. Despite these tensions, the visit is moving forward, suggesting both sides see value in meeting and maintaining a measure of equilibrium. Ceremonies, trade talks, and possible creation of a U.S.-China Board of Trade are planned, along with discussions of AI technology to establish deconfliction channels.

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