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President Donald Trump said Monday he has asked China to postpone his planned visit to the country by about a month as conflict in the Middle East continues, and he believes his presence is needed in the United States.
Speaking at a White House event, the president said the request was made due to the ongoing situation with Iran.
Israel and the United States launched military operations against Iran last month in an effort to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon. About 200 U.S. servicemembers have been wounded in the fighting, and 13 have died.
President Trump said he still intends to travel to China but believes it is important to remain in Washington during the conflict.
“I would love to go to China,” he said. “But because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here, I feel.”
“We’ve requested that we delay it a month or so,” the president added. “And I’m looking forward to being with [Chinese President Xi Jinping].”
If the request is approved, the visit would likely occur in late April or early May. The trip comes as the administration seeks cooperation from China on international energy concerns. President Trump has been urging Beijing to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil, in hopes of easing pressure on energy markets and lowering fuel prices.
RSBN previously reported in November that President Trump had accepted an invitation from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in April and that he had invited Xi to make a state visit to the United States later next year.
The president announced the planned visits hours after a phone call with Xi in which the two leaders discussed Ukraine, fentanyl and other issues. The call came nearly a month after they met face-to-face in South Korea.
“Our relationship with China is extremely strong!” President Trump said.