Trump Asked China to Postpone Summit for About a Month

The Financial News reported that President of the United States Donald Trump said he had asked the Chinese side to postpone his Beijing summit with President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, which had been scheduled for the end of this month, by about one month.
The move is seen as an attempt to remain in the country and focus on the ongoing war with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Foreign media outlets including Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) reported that, when asked on the 16th (local time) in the Oval Office at The White House whether his trip to Beijing was still on, Trump replied, "We are currently discussing that issue," signaling a partial step back from his original plans.
He stated, "We are talking with the Chinese side. I would like to meet President Xi, but because we are at war, I want to stay here. I feel that I must be here." He then added, "I have asked the Chinese side to postpone the summit by about a month."
Trump firmly rejected speculation that the delay of the summit signaled a rift in bilateral relations or a strategic retreat.
He said, "I look forward to meeting President Xi, and we are maintaining a very good relationship. There is a war going on, and I simply believe it is important for me to be on the ground here."
Trump had originally planned to visit Beijing at the end of March to discuss trade and security issues.
His decision to personally manage the wartime situation as commander in chief suggests that, over the next month, U.S. foreign policy will focus even more heavily on the Middle East.
China has not yet issued an official response.
jjyoon@fnnews.com Yoon Jae-joon Reporter