Beijing | B | BETH
May 13, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing in what is considered one of the year’s most significant political and economic visits, amid escalating global tensions driven by the war with Iran, energy market instability, and growing U.S.–China rivalry over trade, technology, and global influence.

The Situation

The visit is scheduled to continue from May 14 to May 15 and includes a direct summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, alongside high-level economic and trade meetings.

According to circulating reports, the discussions will focus on:

• The war with Iran and its impact on global energy markets
• The Strait of Hormuz crisis and freedom of navigation
• Trade and tariff disputes
• Artificial intelligence and advanced technologies
• Taiwan and military balances in Asia
• Rare minerals and global supply chains

Washington is also seeking to strengthen trade understandings with Beijing, particularly in aviation, agriculture, and energy, amid expectations of major economic announcements and large-scale deals during the visit.

At the same time, China appears keen to avoid further economic escalation with the United States while continuing efforts to ease American restrictions on advanced technology and semiconductor exports.

Will the Visit Affect the War With Iran?

This is currently the most important question.

Although Trump is attempting to present the visit as “primarily economic,” the war with Iran clearly overshadows the U.S.–China summit.

The United States understands that China holds significant influence over Iran through:

Energy,
Trade,
Economic relations,
And even indirect political communication channels.

Meanwhile, Beijing understands that a prolonged war threatens:

The global economy,
Energy markets,
Supply chains,
And China’s own economic growth.

More importantly, however, China does not appear willing to be seen as a party fully aligned with Washington against Tehran.

Instead, Beijing may attempt to play the role of:

“A quiet balancer,”
Rather than “a direct ally.”

BETH Analysis

Trump’s visit to China does not appear to be merely a protocol visit…

But rather an attempt to rearrange global balances at an extremely sensitive international moment.

The White House needs:

To reduce economic tensions,
Calm energy markets,
And prevent the Iran war from expanding,
While simultaneously preserving the image of American strength.

China, meanwhile, appears to be quietly benefiting from the moment.

The longer the Iranian crisis continues,
The greater Washington’s need for understanding with Beijing becomes — particularly regarding:

Energy,
Trade,
Rare minerals,
And supply chains.

For this reason, some observers believe China enters this summit from a more comfortable position than it held months ago, while Trump arrives under pressure from:

Elections,
The economy,
Rising energy prices,
And the growing cost of a prolonged conflict.

In the end, the visit may not end the war with Iran…

But it could shape the next phase:

Either toward a prolonged de-escalation,
Or toward a more complex “gray war” managed by major powers behind negotiation tables as much as on the battlefield.

BETH (بث B) – All rights reserved