Trump is also set to host Xi in Washington DC later this year, and officials are "finalizing preparations for these Historic Visits", he wrote on in a post on Truth Social. "I look very much forward to spending time with President Xi in what will be, I am sure, a Monumental Event," he added.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that Trump’s trip will now take place on May 14 and 15, instead of its originally planned dates, from March 31 to April 2.

“President Xi understood that it’s very important for the president to be here throughout these combat operations right now,” Leavitt said. “He understood, obviously, the request to postpone and accepted it, which is why we have new dates on the books.”