As President Trump prepares for a pivotal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for May 14-15, the backdrop of strained US-China relations and the ongoing Iran conflict looms large. The much-anticipated meeting, initially delayed, raises questions about how both leaders will navigate the complexities of trade tensions and regional stability. With Trump needing to secure a short-term win in Iran before the summit, the optics of the discussions on trade and diplomacy are crucial. Analysts suggest that the summit could either exacerbate existing irritants or pave the way for a temporary truce, depending on the strategies employed by both leaders.