US-China ties

Commentary

Why China chooses to stay on the sidelines

Watching US President Donald Trump get bogged down by the Iran war and call for help is hardly a bad thing for China, which can claim more easily that it stands for stability while quietly tending its own interests, says the writer.

Trump expects Xi summit in ‘five or six weeks’ as Iran war rages

US President Donald Trump (left) stressed that he has a “good relationship with China” and “looks forward” to seeing Chinese president Xi Jinping.

News analysis

Delay in Trump’s China visit gives both sides time to hammer out trade deal

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping leaving a bilateral meeting in Busan, South Korea, in October 2025.

China takes note of US ‘clarifications’ on possible Trump visit delay

US President Donald Trump (left) had asked China to delay his summit with Mr Xi Jinping by around a month.

Trump seeks to delay meeting with China’s Xi by ‘a month or so’

US President Donald Trump had said he might postpone the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the war with Iran.

Senior Chinese trade negotiator says talks with US ‘constructive’: State media

China's chief trade negotiator Li Chenggang (centre) speaks to the media, after two days of meetings with US counterparts, in Paris, France on March 16.

China says it is ‘maintaining communication’ with US over Trump visit

Beijing’s foreign ministry said Beijing and Washington “are maintaining communication regarding President Trump’s visit to China”.

US, China economic chiefs meet in Paris to clear path to Trump-Xi summit

A Chinese delegation arrives at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters for trade talks with a U.S. delegation, in Paris, France, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

China slams US trade probe ahead of Paris talks

The investigation into excess industrial capacity and forced labour was announced by the US on March 11.

US Treasury chief to meet Chinese vice-premier in France ahead of Trump-Xi summit

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on X the pair would meet to continue the US-China trade and economic dialogue.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.