President Trump arrives in China seeking a Hormuz breakthrough as the Pentagon defends rising war costs and Tehran demands reparations in a stalled ceasefire.
President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a pivotal summit with President Xi Jinping, marking a critical test for his administration’s realist foreign policy. Accompanied by a delegation including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, the President was met with a lavish red-carpet reception. The visit follows his May 11 declaration that the Iran ceasefire is on life support after he rejected Tehran’s latest proposal. The administration now looks to Beijing to use its influence to stabilize global energy markets and address the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic landscape is increasingly strained. The Pentagon estimated the cost of the Iran war at $29 billion as of May 12, 2026. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified on Capitol Hill this week, facing scrutiny over economic shocks caused by the Hormuz closure. Despite the costs, Hegseth maintained that the U.S. possesses ample munitions for sustained engagement. However, Senate Republicans have cautioned against further military strikes in regions like Cuba, citing the military’s heavy commitment to the Iranian theater.
Tehran’s peace terms remain a significant hurdle. Through Pakistani intermediaries, Iran issued five final conditions: an end to the war, lifting sanctions within 30 days, releasing frozen assets, paying war reparations, and recognized sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The administration’s rejection of these terms underscores its ‘peace through strength’ doctrine, even as international critics argue the lack of a formal NATO-led strategy risks long-term instability. Some economists have urged direct NATO intervention to provide a unified front against Iranian demands.
Relations with European allies remain complex. The President recently pulled 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany following a dispute with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. While intended to pressure Europe into the Iran conflict, the move has not yet persuaded allies to join the war effort. To signal continued commitment to the region, the Pentagon disclosed an Ohio-class submarine, likely the USS Alaska, in Gibraltar. This deployment reinforces American naval reach while terrestrial troop levels in Europe fluctuate.
In Beijing, Trump is expected to seek a deal to reopen vital shipping lanes, which recently saw a minor breakthrough with the transit of two empty Qatari LNG tankers. He also pledged to raise the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai, balancing human rights with the pragmatic necessity of Chinese cooperation. This summit differs from his 2017 visit, as the U.S. now navigates a multi-front crisis involving Russian energy claims and Middle Eastern volatility.
Domestically, the administration faces secondary challenges. FBI Director Kash Patel recently denied allegations of professional misconduct, and the resignation of FDA head Marty Makary has added to the sense of a government in flux. Even domestic projects have seen rising costs, with Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repairs reaching $13.1 million. As the President negotiates in China, the administration is attempting to prove its bilateral, realist approach can resolve a global stalemate and protect American interests.
Olivia Kendall serves as the Senior Correspondent for Geopolitics, Defense, and Foreign Policy at Just Right News, where she provides a principled, conservative perspective on the complex forces shaping the global stage. With a career dedicated to deconstructing the intricacies of international relations, Kendall has become a trusted voice for readers who value national sovereignty, a robust military, and a foreign policy that prioritizes American interests above all else.
A native of Washington, D.C., Kendall’s professional journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing within the nation’s capital. Growing up in the epicenter of American political life, she developed an early and profound understanding of how policy is crafted and, more importantly, how it often fails to account for the values of the American heartland. This unique vantage point allowed her to witness firsthand the rise of globalist bureaucracies, fueling her commitment to reporting that champions the constitutional foundations of the United States. Her background as a British White American further informs her worldview, providing her with a keen appreciation for the Western tradition and the enduring importance of the “Special Relationship” in maintaining global stability.
Now based in Arlington, Virginia, Kendall operates from the doorstep of the Pentagon and the heart of the nation’s defense establishment. Her proximity to the decision-makers in the military and intelligence communities allows her to provide boots-on-the-ground reporting that is both timely and deeply informed. For Kendall, Arlington is more than just a base of operations; it is a daily reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform. This connection to the defense community drives her rigorous coverage of military readiness and her advocacy for a “peace through strength” approach to diplomacy.
At Just Right News, Kendall is perhaps best known for her acclaimed feature series, “The World’s Shadow on America.” In this ongoing project, she explores the direct correlation between international developments and the daily lives of American citizens. Whether she is analyzing the encroachment of foreign adversaries in domestic supply chains or the impact of international treaties on local economies, Kendall’s work serves as a vital bridge between distant geopolitical shifts and their consequences at home. She rejects the notion that foreign policy is an abstract concern for elites, instead proving that what happens in the corridors of power in Brussels or Beijing has a tangible “shadow” that falls across every American doorstep.
Throughout her tenure, Kendall has remained a steadfast critic of international overreach and a vocal proponent of a clear-eyed, realistic foreign policy. She brings a sharp analytical mind to her beat, often challenging the prevailing narratives of the mainstream media to uncover the underlying truths that affect national security. Her reporting is characterized by a refusal to compromise on the truth and a dedication to the idea that a strong, secure America is the world’s best hope for liberty. As a Senior Correspondent, Olivia Kendall continues to lead the charge in providing the essential context and conservative insight necessary to navigate an increasingly volatile world.