President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with President Xi Jinping as the war in Iran casts a shadow over talks. While the White House aims to focus on economic issues, including trade and potential Chinese purchases of American agricultural goods and airplanes, the conflict has weakened Trump's geopolitical standing and complicated his negotiating position.

Chinese analysts view the Iran war as a strategic misstep that has damaged American credibility and strengthened Beijing's leverage. Iran's refusal to ease energy pressures and the fragile ceasefire have left Trump searching for a diplomatic exit, giving China potential influence if it chooses to press Tehran toward a settlement.

Beijing has signaled support for a cessation of hostilities, but experts say China may be holding back additional pressure on Iran. Some suggest that greater Chinese cooperation could depend on stronger American assurances regarding Taiwan, creating possible trade-offs between Iran diplomacy and long-standing tensions over Taiwan.

As Trump faces political pressure at home and uncertainty abroad, the summit may test how much the Iran conflict has shifted the global balance of power in China's favor and whether Beijing is willing to convert its leverage into concrete concessions.