Yesterday, on 11 May 2026, the Chinese abroad Ministry confirmed that the authoritative visit to China would be made by president Donald Trump of the United States. It was reported that it would last 3 days (not 2 as reported by the U.S. website), from 13 to 15 May.
Donald Trump's visit to China, preceded by intense preparations, will take place in the atmosphere of diplomatic tension. Although authoritative communications talk of a “deep exchange of views on bilateral relations and planet peace”, reality looks much more complex. The summit is accompanied by parallel negotiations in Seoul and a fresh wave of US sanctions against Chinese actors supporting Iran.
Diplomatic sprint in Seoul
Before president Trump lands in Beijing, key talks take place on neutral ground. Deputy Prime Minister Chin He Lifeng went to South Korea (12-13 May) to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This different diplomatic solution – negotiations in a 3rd country just before the summit – shows that both sides are trying to scope agreements that presidents could officially sign in Beijing until the last minute.
Analysts, including Xu Tianchen of the Economist Intelligence Unit, are, however, reducing expectations, indicating that the rush is due to the fact that Washington's attention has until late been completely absorbed by the Iran crisis. The Seoul gathering besides sparks confusion in South Korea itself, as Bessent did not plan authoritative meetings with representatives of the South Korean government, treating Seoul as just a convenient place to talk to the Chinese. Earlier, the U.S. Treasury Secretary visited Japan, which caused disappointment in Tokyo – the nipponese hoped Trump himself would halt in their country on his way to China.
Both cases are further evidence of limited diplomatic competences of the current American administration. South Korea and Japan are now experiencing instrumental treatment from the US. It is clear that for Trump et consortes, "regional mercenary" has a third-rate meaning in talks with China. This can be peculiarly severe for the nipponese Prime Minister, Mrs Sanae Takaichi, who has done a lot to win the favour of the American President. And it seems that she can shortly number on being among the people Trump publically talks about kissing his ass. This is an example of the quality of diplomatic competence of the American side.
“Economic Fury” sanctions hit Chinese companies
Meanwhile, in Washington, the Treasury Department (OFAC) announced a fresh wave of sanctions under Operation “Economic Fury”. The restrictions included 12 people and entities active in the sale and transport of Iranian oil to China, from which gross feeds the muslim Revolutionary defender Corps (IRGC).
The sanctions list included Hong Kong Blue Ocean Limited, Hong Kong Sanmu Limited, Jiandi HK Limited, Max Honor global Trade Co., and United arabian Emirates. The American administration so sends a clear signal: the readiness to trade talks does not mean a concession tariff for the enforcement of the embargo on Iranian oil.
Subsequent sanctions imposed on Chinese companies are ignored by Beijing. In the case of Chinese refineries late sanctioned by Washington, Beijing has even banned compliance with these sanctions.
The Chinese can afford it. Not by accident on 29 April 2026, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China published the latest study on national natural materials resources. Data confirm the unprecedented position of the mediate State in global supply chains: China presently ranks first in the planet in terms of documented resources of 14 key minerals and first in the production of 17 types of natural materials.
Among the 14 minerals in which China has the largest resources, include uncommon earth metals, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, gall, german, ind, fluorite and graphite.
In turn, the list of 17 natural materials with the highest global production includes carbon, vanadium, titanium, zinc, uncommon earth metals, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, antimony, gal, ind, gold and tellur. The study emphasises that China is not only a mining power, but above all a major supplier and leader in advanced metallurgy and separation and refining technology.
We so have oil from Iran versus 31 minerals and natural materials mostly monopolized by China.
truncated business delegation and Nvidia's absence
Trump's visit will be accompanied by a delegation of American business leaders, but, as sources report, it will be smaller than originally assumed. The surprise is the deficiency of Jensen Huang, Nvidia's CEO, in her composition. This suggests that during the summit there will be no breakthrough in the issue of softening US restrictions on exports of advanced integrated circuits to China, which was 1 of Beijing's main demands.
Expectations towards the summit stay moderate. Western media powerfully argue that the communicative about the “Chinese advantage” is exaggerated, as evidenced by the American approach to talks from the position of force, with the last manifestation in the form of the latest OFAC sanctions.
Americans learn nothing, unfortunately. Since Biden's memorable gathering with the Chinese in Anchorage, Alaska in 2021, it has been known that the Chinese stopped agreeing to the dictatorship of Washington. Since then, they have given many times circumstantial signals that they are willing to repay the beautiful for the usual. If there were Kissinger or Brzeziński format people around Trump, the likelihood of tilting the scales on the American side would be significant. First of all, the United States would not be in specified a hard position... Beijing will most likely want to give Trump a visual dimension. Not necessarily good to Americans.
Few people have pointed out that from 12 to 14 May, at Xi Jinping's invitation, the president of Tajikistan will be present in China. And of course, his hosts will besides pay quite a few attention to him. After all, in Beijing all guests are equally solemnly welcomed and well-made. Whether it's the president of the United States or Tajikistan.
I don't think anyone is counting on the sustainability of any arrangements with Trump in Beijing. Unless there's a fresh beginning to Taiwan. But that's unlikely. Nothing about that leaked from sources close to the White House.
Sources
- The Korea Herald: “Bessent to visit Seoul for talks with Chinese vice premier ahead of Trump-Xi summit”
- South China Morning Post: “US-China negotiations search a fast Seoul search for deals ahead of Trump’s visit”
- S. Department of the Treasury: “Economic Fury Ramps Up force on Iran’s muslim Revolutionary defender Corps Oil Operations”
Editorial: Leszek B.
Email: [email protected]
