March 17, 2026

A Financial Times report, which hinted that US President Donald Trump threatened he might postpone his China visit if Beijing does not help the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz, has drawn immediate denials from multiple senior US officials.

Analysts said the swift, coordinated pushback suggests that Washington is wary of tying the Middle East conflict to its relationship with China, recognizing that further strain would not serve US interests at a time of escalating tensions.

In an interview with CNBC's Brian Sullivan in Paris, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "if the meetings are delayed, it wouldn't be delayed because the president demanded that China police the Straits of Hormuz." 

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https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357092.shtml