The upcoming US-China summit will take place under the shadow of the Iran war, which has reshaped the strategic environment in ways that favor Beijing. China has little incentive to abandon its economic and limited military support for Tehran, particularly as American resources and attention remain tied down in the Middle East. At the same time, US weapons depletion and dependence on Chinese-controlled rare earth supply chains have weakened Washington’s negotiating position. This commentary examines how the Iran conflict has deepened America’s vulnerabilities while enhancing Beijing’s leverage ahead of crucial trade talks.
