The Iran war has weakened Donald Trump’s negotiating leverage significantly vis-à-vis China, by diminishing his political standing at home, weakening US military posture in the Asia-Pacific region, depleting stocks of key munitions, and raising questions about the reliability of the United States as a political and security partner. In the weeks since the visit (first scheduled for late March) was delayed, Beijing has skillfully exploited these vulnerabilities, leaving President Xi in a much-strengthened position.
