Trump meets ambassador ahead of May summit

US President Donald Trump will meet with the US ambassador to China on the 14th (local time) to continue discussions on summit preparations and related pending issues, ahead of the upcoming May summit. This meeting is intended to prepare for the May summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Escalating tensions in the Middle East and overall US-China relations will be addressed as major agenda items at the summit.

The US recently carried out measures to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, carrying the risk of drawing China, the largest buyer of Iranian crude oil, more directly into the conflict. This meeting comes amid reports that China supplied weapons to Iran. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 50% tariff on China if the reports are true.

Beyond tariffs, the US continues to exert economic pressure, moving to close a major loophole that allowed duty-free clearance for Chinese goods valued under $800. This targets companies like Temu and Shein, and is expected to affect millions of shipments.

Despite escalating economic tensions, the US military posture toward China remains relatively cautious. The Trump administration's national security and defense strategies prioritize domestic defense over overseas conflicts, designating China as the ultimate long-term threat. Recent intelligence assessments deem an imminent Chinese invasion of Taiwan unlikely. The lack of a fixed timetable for military action suggests Washington is focusing on deterrence rather than preparing for direct confrontation.