The Donald Trump Administration accelerates negotiations with Iran to reach a temporary agreement that will reduce tension in the Middle East before the expected visit of the US president to China, scheduled for the next 14 and 15 May.

According to CNN and Reuters reports, Washington and Tehran are working on a preliminary memorandum aimed at ending the war and opening a window of broader discussion on the Iranian nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the planet's main energy corridors.

The White House seeks to prevent the regional crisis from dominating the agenda of the meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where sensitive issues such as trade, technology, tariffs and restrictions on semiconductors will also be discussed.

According to Reuters, the draft under discussion contemplates three phases: “the formal end of hostilities, the resolution of the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and a 30-day negotiation for a broader agreement.”

The rapprochement between Washington and Tehran coincides with the visit to Beijing of Iranian Chancellor Abbas Araqchi, who held meetings with the Chinese diplomacy chief, Wang Yi.

During the meeting, Wang assured that the Middle East is going through a “decisive turning point”, while Araqchí stated that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could be resolved “as soon as possible”, in a gesture of coordination with Beijing.

China depends strongly on the stability in Hormuz. Close to 45% of the energy imports from the Asian giant transit through that strategic maritime route, which turns the war into a direct economic problem for Beijing.

The professor of the National University of Singapore, Ja Ian Chong, considered that the Chinese diplomatic movements seek to “strengthen Beijing’s hand” before Trump’s visit.

According to the analyst, if Washington needs China's support to stabilize the conflict with Iran, Xi could take advantage of the situation to demand concessions on technological and trade issues.

Trump seeks to avoid an image of weakness

Trump has publicly insisted that he maintains a “very good” relationship with Xi Jinping and assured this week that China has been “very respectful” regarding the Iranian conflict.

The Republican president also recognized that there is a “very good chance” of reaching an agreement before his arrival in Beijing.

However, analysts warn that an open and unresolved conflict could weaken the negotiating position of the United States during the bilateral summit.

“If Trump arrives in Beijing still distracted by an unresolved conflict in the Middle East, he will have less room to claim the victory he wants,” Chong explained.

The war already forced Trump to postpone a previous visit to China last March, while Washington concentrated military and diplomatic efforts in the region.