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Thursday, March 26, 2026

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2 hours ago
Economy
World

European Union Politicians Approve Long-Delayed Trump Trade Deal.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: European Union (EU) politicians approved a major trade deal with the United States, overcoming months of delays.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the European Parliament, and American negotiators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 26, 2026, at the European Parliament.

🎯IMPACT: The deal is expected to pass through remaining negotiations and approvals, strengthening U.S.-EU trade ties.

IN FULL

The European Parliament has approved key elements of a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union (EU). Notably, the move ends a months-long delay in adopting the frameworks after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by President Donald J. Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted 417 to 154 to advance the measure, with 71 abstentions. The movement on the trade deal comes on the heels of President Trump reimposing a global ten percent tariff through other trade laws outside of IEEPA authorities—effectively circumventing the Supreme Court ruling.

The deal includes the EU eliminating tariffs on American industrial goods and certain agricultural products. Still, lawmakers amended the legislation to include provisions that would allow it to be reversed if the Trump administration imposes new tariffs on the EU.

American negotiators have been pushing for weeks to adopt the framework, warning that the pause could risk the favorable pricing the EU receives for liquid natural gas (LNG) imports. Notably, the agreement maintains the United States’s 15 percent tariff rate on a number of EU products, and a 50 percent tariff rate on steel and aluminum.

Image © European Union 2017 – European Parliament.

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13 minutes ago
Crime
Immigration

More Victims of Migrant Accused of High School Sexual Assault Spree Come Forward.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An adult illegal immigrant in Virginia, already facing multiple charges for sexually assaulting female classmates at a high school, now faces additional accusations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israel Flores Ortiz, 18, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, and female students at Fairfax High School.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Reports surfaced on March 5, 2026, at Fairfax High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. Ortiz turned himself in on March 7.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s terrifying as a parent because when I send my daughters to school, I think they’re safe in the care of the school,” said parent Stacy Langton.

🎯IMPACT: Ortiz is being held without bond, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has filed a detainer to remove him from the country. Parents have expressed outrage over safety concerns at the school.

IN FULL

Israel Flores Ortiz, an adult illegal immigrant from El Salvador, is facing additional assault and battery charges, following previous charges for a sexual assault spree targeting girls at Fairfax High School in Virginia. He was originally charged with nine counts, but authorities have added four more as further victims have come forward during the ongoing investigation.

Fairfax County police first learned of the incidents on March 5, 2024, and obtained an arrest warrant. Ortiz surrendered to authorities on March 7 and remains in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, held without bond. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on him in order to remove him from the United States.

Local parents have voiced outrage and concern. “It’s terrifying as a parent because when I send my daughters to school, I think they’re safe in the care of the school,” said Stacy Langton, whose daughters attend Fairfax High School. “In this case, they absolutely were not safe.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement pressing Fairfax County to honor the ICE detainer. “We are calling on Fairfax County to honor our detainer to ensure this violent criminal is removed from our country so he can never claim another victim again,” the department said.

“We prioritize student and staff safety, and we fully investigate any time someone shares that an incident has occurred at school, or that they do not feel safe at school,” Fairfax County Public Schools district stated.

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53 minutes ago
Corruption
Election Integrity

Trump Shares Report on Alleged Ukrainian Plot to Fund Biden Campaign.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. intelligence reportedly intercepted Ukrainian government communications discussing a scheme to divert U.S. taxpayer dollars meant for clean energy projects in Ukraine to fund President Joe Biden’s 2024 re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), according to a report shared by President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Ukrainian government, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and unnamed U.S. subcontractors allegedly participated in the scheme. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has called for further investigation.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The intercepted communications date back to late 2022, with the alleged plot involving USAID operations in Kiev, Ukraine.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Ukrainian Government and unspecified U.S. Government personnel, through USAID in Kyiv, reportedly developed a plan that would provide hundreds of millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund an infrastructure project for Ukraine that would be used as a cover to send approximately 90 percent of funds allocated to the DNC to fund Joe Biden’s reelection campaign,” the declassified report stated.

🎯IMPACT: The allegations raise concerns about foreign interference on behalf of the Democrats and the potential misuse of taxpayer funds.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump shared a report about an alleged Ukrainian plot to funnel money to former President Joe Biden on Thursday, based on intercepted communications involving Ukrainian officials that outlined a scheme to redirect U.S. taxpayer funds designated for clean energy projects in Ukraine. The money was reportedly intended to bolster then-President Joe Biden’s 2024 re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has directed USAID to examine its records to establish whether the plan was put into action and whether a criminal referral to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is appropriate. Officials indicated that the intercepted messages are not believed to be Russian disinformation and that no comprehensive investigation appears to have taken place during the Biden presidency.

The declassified document summarizes raw U.S. intelligence intercepts dating from late 2022. It described an arrangement in which American taxpayer dollars routed through USAID’s office in Kiev would be disguised as support for an infrastructure project in Ukraine. About 90 percent of the funds were allegedly slated to be siphoned off to the DNC and Biden’s campaign, with U.S. subcontractors brought in to mask the transfers.

The episode also revives earlier accusations surrounding Hunter Biden and Burisma, a Ukrainian energy firm. Hunter Biden’s seat on Burisma’s board and the payments made to the Biden family have been the focus of Republican-led probes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to face scrutiny amid persistent corruption allegations.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Immigration

New Report Warns ‘No-Go Zones’ Fueled by Mass Migration, Islamization, and State Weakness Are Spreading.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new report highlights the spread of “no-go zones” across the European Union (EU), linked to mass immigration and Islamization.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Charlie Weimers, Marion Maréchal, and Nicola Procaccini presented the report; The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief, Raheem Kassam, has been warning against “no-go zones” for many years.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report was presented on Wednesday in Europe.

💬KEY QUOTE: “A wake-up call on the failures of uncontrolled immigration.” – Nicola Procaccini

🎯IMPACT: Broad demographic changes and weakening state control are fracturing European societies.

IN FULL

A new report, presented by conservative Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), is raising alarms over the growing number of “no-go zones” across the European Union (EU). It points to mass migration, growing Islamization, and the erosion of state authority in cities as the main drivers of the trend.

Unveiled by Sweden Democrats MEP Charlie Weimers, French nationalist MEP Marion Maréchal, and Brothers of Italy MEP Nicola Procaccini, the study contends that “parallel societies” are taking root in many parts of Europe. These areas, the report says, are ruled by codes of radicalization and violence instead of national laws.

Marion Maréchal noted that France is home to many such areas, stating, “Our study demonstrates that no-go zones develop according to two factors: immigration and Islamization—63 percent of Islamist terrorists are linked to these areas.”

The report employs a scoring system that weighs factors such as crime and violence, the existence of parallel societies, and evidence of state withdrawal. It examined 17 neighborhoods in seven EU countries, giving France’s Franc Moisin district the worst score. Other prominent examples cited include La Castellane in Marseilles, France, and Molenbeek in Brussels, Belgium. The findings reveal a clear link between no-go zones and elevated shares of foreign-born and Muslim residents, with the average Muslim population in these districts far above the EU-wide figure.

Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, has been warning against the emergence of parallel societies in Europe and the United States for years, releasing his book No Go Zones: How Sharia Law Is Coming to a Neighborhood Near You in 2017.

While more commonly associated with Europe, no-go zones are increasingly evident in the United States. Police in Dearborn, Michigan, now have Arabic patches, and the city’s Muslim mayor, Abdullah H. Hammoud, warned a Christian resident he was “not welcome” in the city last year when he expressed opposition to street signs honoring an Arab publisher accused of supporting terror.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
War

U.S. ‘Needs Nothing From NATO,’ Which Has Done ‘Absolutely Nothing’ to Help With Iran: Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump criticized NATO for doing “absolutely nothing” to assist with Iran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, NATO member states, and Iran.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 26, 2026, on Truth Social.

💬KEY QUOTE: “NEEDS NOTHING FROM NATO, but ‘never forget’ this very important point in time!” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: There are discussions among NATO countries about forming a coalition to secure the Hormuz Strait.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has renewed his criticism of the NATO alliance, criticizing its members for having failed to take any meaningful steps to help the U.S. with Iran. He said, “NATO NATIONS HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE LUNATIC NATION, NOW MILITARILY DECIMATED, OF IRAN.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “THE U.S.A. NEEDS NOTHING FROM NATO, BUT ‘NEVER FORGET’ THIS VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN TIME!” These latest remarks continue Trump’s long-standing critique of the alliance during the conflict. He previously stressed that “Without the USA, NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!”

Some NATO members—including the United Kingdom and France—are reportedly considering leading a “Hormuz coalition” aimed at protecting shipping in the critical Strait of Hormuz, which carries much of the world’s oil and fertilizer supplies. The Iranians have largely closed the strait, imposing a “toll booth” regime for select allies.

Other alliance countries have adopted a more combative stance towards the Trump administration, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating through a spokesman that the Iran war has “nothing to do with NATO” and is “not NATO’s war.”

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, despite tentative moves towards assisting in Hormuz, has also been reluctant to get involved, with Trump complaining that he “really did not want” to send ships when requested. However, Starmer’s position largely reflects that of the British public, who are overwhelmingly opposed to British actions that are not “purely defensive,” such as shooting down Iranian drones.

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3 hours ago
War

Iran Imposes ‘Toll Booth’ Regime on Oil Tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran is imposing restrictions on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, requiring documentation and clearance codes while proposing formal legislation to charge tolls.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian lawmakers, shipping companies, and maritime authorities.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Strait of Hormuz, ongoing since March 2026, with legislative actions currently under review.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We provide its security, and it is natural that ships and oil tankers should pay such fees.” – Iranian lawmaker Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi

🎯IMPACT: The move raises legal risks for shipping companies and could face opposition from Gulf Arab states and Western allies, challenging the strait’s status as an international waterway.

IN FULL

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is imposing a quasi-toll system on vessels seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Ships are required to provide documentation, obtain clearance codes—apparently for a fee—and then receive an “escort” through the critical waterway.

The escort appears to imply that the Strait of Hormuz is, in fact, mined, though no ships that passed through without an IRGC escort have suffered mine damage. So far, ships have only been hit by anti-ship missiles and suicide drones. Still, elements of the Islamic Republic’s government, including its parliament, are pushing for the legal formalization of toll collection for ships moving through the strait.

“We provide its security, and it is natural that ships and oil tankers should pay such fees,” said Iranian lawmaker Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi. Despite the imposition of the toll system, it appears only two ships—according to shipping journal Lloyd’s List—have actually paid the fee, which was collected in Chinese yuan. Still, most ships currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz are doing so under diplomatic pressure and not by paying Iranian fees.

Notably, just as Iran is attempting to impose the tolls, Israel announced it has successfully eliminated the naval commander of the IRGC. Alireza Tangsiri, widely believed to be the IRGC figure tasked with mining the Strait of Hormuz, was reportedly killed on Wednesday alongside other Iranian navy officials in an Israeli airstrike.

Legal experts warn that engaging with the Iranian system poses significant risks, as the IRGC is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States and the European Union. Payments to the IRGC could expose companies to criminal prosecution under anti-terrorism statutes.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered an international waterway, and any move to formalize tolls could provoke strong opposition from Gulf Arab states and their Western allies.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Immigration

Trump Crackdown Has Drastically Reduced Immigrant Numbers in Border Towns.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. population growth slowed significantly in 2025, with steep declines in metro areas along the southern border as immigration fell.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Census Bureau, President Donald Trump, and demographers, including Helen You and Kenneth Johnson.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Data covers the one-year period ending July 2025, with key impacts in U.S. metro areas, including Laredo, Texas; Yuma, Arizona; and El Centro, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders totally unfettered and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history, by far.” – President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Immigration declines have reshaped population trends, with border regions and major metro areas experiencing sharp drops.

IN FULL

New Census Bureau figures show a marked slowdown in overall U.S. population growth for the 12-month period that ended in July 2025. Metropolitan areas along the U.S.-Mexico border recorded some of the largest drops, driven by a steep fall in immigration after border policies were tightened at the start of President Donald J. Trump’s second term.

Laredo, Texas, saw its annual growth rate collapse from 3.2 percent to just 0.2 percent. Yuma, Arizona, fell from 3.3 percent to 1.4 percent, while El Centro, California, swung from 1.2 percent growth to a 0.7 percent loss. Major hubs for immigrants—including Miami-Dade County, Harris County in Texas, and Los Angeles County—also registered sharp reductions in immigration inflows, adding to the nationwide pattern.

“That pattern suggests a sharper rise-and-fall effect in border regions, where international migration plays a more central role in year-to-year population change,” said Helen You, interim director of the Texas Demographic Center. The Census Bureau reported that nine out of ten U.S. counties received fewer immigrants than in the previous year.

President Trump previously drew attention to these shifts in his State of the Union Address, stating, “In the past nine months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States. But we will always allow people to come in legally, people that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country.”

Although border metros lost momentum, solidly Republican states such as Texas and Florida still posted the strongest overall population increases nationwide. At the same time, natural disasters—Hurricanes Helene and Milton—drove population losses in counties along Florida’s Gulf Coast and in parts of North Carolina.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
Immigration

Bondi’s DOJ Now Calls Immigration Court Arrests a ‘Regrettable Error.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal prosecutor suggested U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should not be arresting migrants at immigration court, and that a previous memo saying they could be was a “regrettable error.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, ICE officials, immigration advocacy groups, and former New York City comptroller Brad Lander (D)

📍WHEN & WHERE: The issue spans over the last year, with recent developments in Manhattan and other U.S. immigration courts.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Based on our discussions with ICE today, this regrettable error appears to have occurred because of agency attorney error,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.

🎯IMPACT: The revelation has sparked calls for congressional investigations and raised questions about due process violations in immigration court arrests.

IN FULL

A Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor in Manhattan says that his office’s backing of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy memo authorizing arrests of migrants at immigration court was a “regrettable error.” In a letter to a federal judge, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said ICE’s legal team had “specifically informed” his office that arrests in immigration court were exempt from guidance against courtroom arrests, but that this was mistaken.

Last May, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons stated that “ICE officers and agents should generally avoid enforcement actions in or near courthouses, or areas within courthouses that are wholly dedicated to non-criminal proceedings (e.g., family court, small claims court).” However, ICE Assistant Director of Field Operations Liana Castano released a memo stating that this arrest policy “does not apply” to immigration courts.

“Based on our discussions with ICE today, this regrettable error appears to have occurred because of agency attorney error,” Clayton said of the memo.

Former New York City comptroller Brad Lander (D)—himself arrested by ICE agents inside Manhattan’s immigration court—called the news a “bombshell” and called on Congress to investigate. “All courthouse arrests should cease immediately,” Lander demanded.

In the past year alone, ICE agents have arrested thousands of immigrants right outside courtrooms, frequently moments after their court-ordered hearings ended. Immigration courts, which fall under the Department of Justice (DOJ), have become a particular battleground for lawsuits challenging ICE’s enforcement methods.

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19 hours ago
News

Apple Update Imposes ID Checks on Every UK iPhone User.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Apple’s iOS 26.4 update has introduced mandatory age verification for all British iPhone users, requiring proof of being 18 or older to access certain features and services.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Apple, British communications regulator Ofcom, and the British government, under the framework of the Online Safety Act.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The update was released on March 24, 2023, and affects an estimated 35 million iPhone users in the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Apple’s decision that the UK will be one of the first countries in the world to receive new child safety protections on devices is a real win for children and families,” Ofcom claims.

🎯IMPACT: Users must link a credit card, scan a government-issued ID, or face restricted access, with Apple’s Web Content Filter and Communication Safety features automatically activated for accounts failing verification.

IN FULL

On March 24, Apple rolled out iOS 26.4 and introduced mandatory age verification for every iPhone user in the United Kingdom. The update requires account holders to confirm they are at least 18 before they can use certain features and services.

Verification can be completed by linking a credit card, scanning a government-issued ID, or having an account history that automatically qualifies the user as an adult. Anyone who does not verify is subject to Apple’s Web Content Filter and Communication Safety features, which block certain websites and scan communications for explicit material.

Ofcom, the British communications regulator, welcomed the step, calling it “a real win for children and families.” The agency said it had collaborated closely with Apple and other services to roll out age-assurance measures required by the Online Safety Act. Even so, Apple’s approach exceeds the law’s draconian requirements.

Critics say the policy places needless limits on millions of British users, effectively turning their devices into supervised environments unless they hand over sensitive personal information. User reports indicate that people without a credit card or government ID have no workaround and must simply accept the restrictions.

Britain’s age-verification drive has already produced side effects, including a sharp rise in VPN usage as people seek ways around the rules. Apple’s actions in Britain are widely viewed as a possible blueprint for similar requirements elsewhere.

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20 hours ago
Politics

A Democrat Will Now Represent Trump in the Florida Legislature.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Democrats flipped Florida’s 87th House District seat in a special election, a district won by President Donald J. Trump in 2024, which includes his Palm Beach residence.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Democrat Emily Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples, who was endorsed by Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The election took place in Florida’s 87th House District, including areas such as Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This victory reiterates an undeniable trend in Florida: with year-round organizing and infrastructure investment, Democrats can run and win anywhere–including Donald Trump’s backyard.” — Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried

🎯IMPACT: The victory adds to a series of Democratic special-election wins, and is another signal to the Trump White House that voters want greater focus on domestic matters.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump was dealt a political blow late Tuesday night when Democrats managed to flip Florida‘s 87th State House District in a special election, which includes his Palm Beach residence of Mar-a-Lago. The district was carried by Trump during the 2024 presidential election by over 10 points and has historically leaned Republican.

Democrat candidate Emily Gregory defeated the Republican nominee Jon Maples, who was endorsed by Trump, with over 51 percent of the vote. In 2024, State Representative Mike Caruso (R-FL) won the seat by 19 points.

Gregory was able to overcome the district’s Republican partisan advantage by focusing her campaign predominantly on local issues impacting Florida, particularly housing affordability and skyrocketing property insurance premiums. The insurance issue has long plagued Republicans in Florida politics, with outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) failing to address it amid increasing legislative pushback.

Notably, while Maples touted his endorsement from Trump, Gregory largely avoided discussing the President while on the campaign trail. “I mean, I don’t think all of that much about it, right? He’s one of 115,000 registered voters in District 87,” she said, referring to President Trump.

Florida Republicans tried to downplay the results, but Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried celebrated the win, stating, “This victory reiterates an undeniable trend in Florida: with year-round organizing and infrastructure investment, Democrats can run and win anywhere–including Donald Trump’s backyard.”

The Democrats’ win is just the latest in voter signals to the Trump White House that the administration isn’t doing enough to assuage concerns about domestic conditions, especially regarding the economy. The National Pulse reported earlier this week that new polling data found 66 percent of independents—one of the, if not the most, critical voting blocs in U.S. elections—say the Trump administration is “focused too little” on domestic matters.

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20 hours ago
War
World

What the New Date for the Trump-Xi Summit Tells Us:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May, as announced by the White House.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The meeting is scheduled for May 14-15, with Xi expected to visit the U.S. at a later date.

💬KEY QUOTE: “My meeting with the Highly Respected President of China, President Xi Jinping, which was originally postponed due to our Military operation in Iran, has been rescheduled, and will take place in Beijing on May 14th and 15th.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The meeting comes as tensions rise in the Middle East, and global energy markets are roiled by oil volatility. However, the planned trip to China now falls outside the four- to six-week window for military operations against Iran that President Trump initially outlined on February 28.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump will now meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14 and 15 after the original March 31 summit was postponed due to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The White House on Wednesday confirmed the new dates for the highly anticipated talks between the two leaders, with the planned trip to China now falling outside the four- to six-week window for military operations against Iran that President Trump initially outlined on February 28.

“My meeting with the Highly Respected President of China, President Xi Jinping, which was originally postponed due to our Military operation in Iran, has been rescheduled, and will take place in Beijing on May 14th and 15th,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the trip. He continued, “First Lady Melania and I will also host President Xi and Madame Peng for a reciprocal visit in Washington, D.C., at a later date, this year. Our Representatives are finalizing preparations for these Historic Visits. I look very much forward to spending time with President Xi in what will be, I am sure, a Monumental Event.”

While the summit will likely focus on the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, as well as foreign policy in the Pacific, the situation in Iran is likely to also be a topic of discussion. China accounts for upwards of 90 percent of Iran’s petroleum exports, and Iran’s oil accounts for about 20 percent of China’s energy imports. Since the start of 2026, the United States has significantly curtailed China’s access to cheap oil with the removal of Venezuela’s narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro and the U.S. takeover of its oil industry, along with the ongoing military strikes against Iran.

China’s export economy is heavily reliant on artificially deflating its currency and avoiding inflationary pressures, such as high energy prices. The National Pulse reported last week that Asian energy markets have been especially hit hard by energy price volatility due to the Iran conflict.

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