Trump hints at possible delay of upcoming Beijing trip, presses allies to send warships

by Lee Hugh Posted : March 16, 2026, 11:25Updated : March 16, 2026, 11:26
US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House in Washington DC on March 15 2026 AP-Yonhap
U.S. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2026. AP-Yonhap
SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump Sunday hinted that his upcoming trip to China later this month might be delayed, while repeating his call for allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help keep it open and safe amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

In an interview with the Financial Times, just a day after he urged five countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the U.K., which are "affected" by the closure of the strategically important waterway, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, to send warships.

"I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits," he was quoted as saying.

Saying "waiting until the summit would be too late," he pressed Beijing, adding, "We'd like to know before that. It's [two weeks is] a long time." He also said, "We may delay."

Trump is scheduled to visit China from March 31 to April 2 for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump also warned that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would face a "very bad" future if U.S. allies fail to assist in reopening the strait.

"It's only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there," he said.