US Clarifies Report on "Threatening to Delay Visit to China," Paris Talks Yield New Trade and Economic Consensus, China and US Release Strategic Stability Signals

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] U.S. officials clarified on the 16th that foreign media reports linking Trump’s visit to China with escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz are completely false. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told CNBC that the reports are entirely incorrect, and if the Trump administration’s meeting with Chinese leaders is postponed, it would be due to logistical reasons. Trump prefers to stay in Washington to coordinate war efforts, and visiting at this time might not be the best choice.

On the afternoon of the 16th, Trump stated at the White House that while he hopes to visit China, “because of the Iran war, I want to stay here. I feel I must stay here.” He plans to postpone his originally scheduled late March visit to China by about a month. He also emphasized that he has “very good relations” with China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded on the 17th, saying that China and the U.S. are in communication regarding the timing of Trump’s visit, and currently have no further information to provide. The day before, both sides concluded preliminary consensus on some issues during trade negotiations in Paris, France.

The Singapore “Lianhe Zaobao” reported that the sixth round of China-U.S. trade talks sent positive signals, with both sides describing the negotiations as “constructive,” and both hoping to maintain stable economic and trade relations.

“The reports are completely false”

Yellen clarified the previous day’s report by The Financial Times, which quoted an interview with Trump stating that if China does not assist with escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, he will postpone his visit to China. This report was widely circulated by some foreign media.

At a press conference on the 17th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “We note that the U.S. has publicly clarified that the false reports are completely incorrect and emphasized that the visit has nothing to do with the Strait of Hormuz navigation issue.”

Yellen explicitly stated in her CNBC interview on the 16th that a delay in Trump’s meeting with Chinese leaders is not because Trump asked China to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. The reports are entirely false. She urged markets not to react negatively to the postponement. On the same day, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Trump looks forward to visiting China, though the date might be adjusted. Her current priority is to ensure the continued success of “Operation Epic Fury.” She does not believe the visit will be canceled but likely delayed.

In the afternoon of the 16th, Trump told reporters at the White House that due to the Iran war, the U.S. requested to postpone the trip to China by about a month. “There are no tricks involved; it’s very simple. We are at war.”

Reuters reported on the 17th that analysts believe the bilateral relationship between China and the U.S. can withstand changes in the schedule. Even if Trump’s visit is delayed, both sides’ primary goal remains to keep the relationship stable and continue preparations for a successful visit. Neil Thomas, a China analyst at the Asia Society, said that the U.S. is currently busy dealing with the Iran conflict, which has not ended as quickly as expected. From China’s perspective, Beijing is willing to take a few more weeks to prepare for a more substantive visit.

European “Modern Diplomacy” on the 17th noted that both Washington and Beijing seem committed to maintaining stable relations. Citing anonymous officials, the report said that more preparation time is beneficial, allowing for more substantial and controllable interactions when the leaders finally meet.

Professor Li Haidong of the Foreign Affairs University told the “Global Times” that the FT’s report gives readers the impression that Trump is pressuring China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is misleading. The subsequent clarification by U.S. officials indicates that Washington does not intend to link China-U.S. relations with the Iran conflict. Washington understands the importance of the relationship and knows that involving China in Middle East conflicts is not beneficial for either side.

“The sixth round of trade negotiations ‘formed some new consensus’”

From March 15 to 16, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, leading the Chinese side, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Trade Representative Katherine Tai, leading the U.S. side, held trade negotiations in Paris, France. Guided by the important consensus between the two heads of state, they engaged in frank, in-depth, and constructive discussions on issues such as tariffs, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and maintaining previous consensus. They reached some new agreements and will continue negotiations.

He Lifeng stated that under the strategic guidance of the important consensus between the two leaders, after five rounds of negotiations last year, China and the U.S. achieved a series of results that added certainty and stability to their economic and trade relations and the global economy. He reiterated that China opposes unilateral tariffs imposed by the U.S., urges the U.S. to fully cancel such measures, and will take necessary actions to defend its legitimate rights. He expressed hope that both sides will work together to implement the important consensus of the two leaders, expand cooperation, and promote healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

CNBC reported that Yellen said negotiations with China are progressing smoothly and that the talks are “candid and constructive.” She added, “We are having very good discussions here over the past two days. We will issue a statement in the coming days reaffirming the stability of the relationship between the world’s first and second largest economies.” The “Lianhe Zaobao” noted that analysts interpret the positive signals from both sides as a mutual desire to maintain stable economic and trade relations.

Li Chenggang, International Trade Negotiator and Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Commerce, said on the 16th that over the past day and a half, both teams engaged in frank, in-depth, and constructive consultations, reaching preliminary consensus on some issues. The next step is to continue the negotiation process. He stated that both sides agree to work together to maintain the stability of bilateral economic and trade relations and discussed establishing a working mechanism to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The negotiations further confirmed that a stable economic and trade relationship benefits both China and the U.S., as well as the world.

Media attention was drawn to the discussion of “establishing a mechanism to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation.” The Japan-based “Nikkei Asia” on the 17th cited experts saying that the most notable outcome of the Paris negotiations was the U.S. “welcoming Chinese investments,” albeit with many conditions. Both sides seem interested in reaching a broader agreement beyond just extending the trade truce.

The New York Times reported that the U.S. has long sought to establish mechanisms with China to balance economic relations. Citing Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former U.S. government official, the article said that managing trade is theoretically straightforward but practically very difficult, and such large-scale trade management attempts have never been seen before in world history.

“Will not significantly impact U.S.-China relations”

Bloomberg on the 17th quoted experts saying that postponing Trump’s visit by several weeks “will not have a major impact on U.S.-China relations.” The negotiations in Paris indicate that both sides have confidence and progress in managing their economic relationship.

Many analysts believe recent developments show the impact of international conflicts on China-U.S. relations. The “Modern Diplomacy” website on the 17th noted that the carefully planned U.S. trip to China might be delayed due to war management, military coordination, and global energy risks related to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. For the U.S., this reflects deeper structural issues: its foreign policy faces multiple challenges, exposing the costs of its expansionist diplomacy. War not only distracts attention but also complicates ongoing diplomatic relationships. The overall trajectory of China-U.S. relations remains uncertain, and the restart of the 301 investigation and possible additional measures could affect the positive atmosphere built during negotiations.

Li Haidong told the “Global Times” reporter that 2026 will be a “big year” for China-U.S. relations, and maintaining stability is essential for both sides based on mutual interests. The conflict with Iran is a problem created by the U.S. itself and should not be linked to China-U.S. relations. Regarding Middle East conflicts, China calls on all parties to cease military actions immediately, avoid further escalation, and prevent regional instability from impacting global economic development, which aligns with global interests.

[Global Times Special Correspondent in the U.S.: Li Zhun; Global Times Reporter: Zhao Yusha; Special Correspondent: Shen Zhen]