Trump’s Mideast muddle could play into Xi Jinping’s hands at planned summit

Synopsis President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing is delayed due to a Middle East war. Analysts believe this puts China in a stronger position to negotiate. Trump may seek a diplomatic win. China has ignored calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing also controls rare earth exports vital for US weaponry. Beijing: China will be in a stronger position to extract concessions from Donald Trump when the US president finally visits Beijing after becoming entangled in his Middle East war, analysts say. Trump had been due in the Chinese capital at the end of this month for talks…