Analysis

Why China didn’t hand Trump a breakthrough on Iran

Trump's landmark three-day visit to China — the first for a US president since his last visit in 2017 — included plenty of fanfare, flattery and awkward selfies but failed to produce deals or breakthroughs on Iran.

Rosaleen Carroll , Joyce Karam

May 15, 2026

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The Chinese saying “hide your strength, bide your time" (韬光养晦) is one that has worked in Beijing's favor when it comes to the US-Israel war in Iran, now its in 11th week, with no end in sight.

Trump's landmark three-day visit to China — the first for a US president since his last visit in 2017 — included plenty of fanfare, flattery and awkward selfies but failed to produce deals or breakthroughs on Iran.

Notably, Trump’s accompanying delegation did not include Jared Kushner or Steve Witkoff, the two leading negotiations with Iran. And, as Elizabeth Hagedorn wrote on Wednesday, Trump himself sought to temper expectations of any major breakthrough on Iran ahead of the trip.

According to a White House readout, during Trump and Xi’s talks, which lasted over two hours, they “agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must........

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