US treasury chief said Trump's delayed visit to China unrelated to Strait of Hormuz
發佈日期: 2026-03-17 20:09
TVB News
US President Donald Trump said he wants to postpone his state visit to China by a month owing to the ongoing war in Iran.
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stressed Trump's decision was not impacted by whether China decides to protect ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz nor by trade disagreements between the two countries.
US President Donald Trump initially planned to meet with President Xi Jinping during a state visit to China between the 31st of this month and the 2nd of April.
But a postponement of one month was announced during a press conference at the White House.
US President DONALD TRUMP: "I'd love to, but because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here, I feel. And so we've requested that we delay it a month or so."
Reuters reported that Trump earlier requested navies of several countries, including China, to take part in the protection of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
During an interview with the Financial Times, the US president said he might delay his trip to China if Beijing refuses to participate in his proposed measure.
However, US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said Trump's postponement of the trip has nothing to do with the situation at the Strait of Hormuz nor trade disagreements between Washington and Beijing.
US Secretary of the Treasury SCOTT BESSENT: "I'm saying if the president's visit is postponed, it would have nothing to do with the Chinese making a commitment to the Strait of Hormuz. It would obviously be in their interest to do so, but a postponement would not be a result of any asks from the president not being met."
In Beijing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier said diplomatic dialogue between the heads of state of China and the US is of strategic importance, adding that both parties will continue engaging each other via Trump's state visit to China.
The ministry also reiterated its call for all parties in the Middle Eastern war to cease military operations.
