As the cost of the US-Iran conflict rises, all eyes turn to the Xi Jinping meeting
While US military operation expenditures reach billions of dollars, economic ties between the Washington administration and Beijing are shaping the agenda of the critical summit at the White House.
Ahead of the high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the White House, the bill for the US conflict with Iran and China's trade relations with Tehran are taking center stage.
The Rising Cost of Military Operations
According to Congressional Budget Office data, as of September 3, 2026, the cost of US military operations reached $43.6 billion.
Warnings have been issued that these expenses could continue to increase by $2 billion to $3 billion per month, depending on the intensity of the fight.
China's Trade Relations with Tehran
Behind Iran's ability to sustain the conflict despite heavy sanctions lies its deep economic ties with China.
While Beijing stands as Iran's largest trading partner, approximately 90 percent of Tehran's oil exports go to China.
Fuel Inflation Reflected on Consumers
The conflicts that began in February 2026 and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz are directly and negatively impacting US consumers.
As a result of the disruptions, annual gasoline inflation in the US has fluctuated between 18 percent and 41 percent.
US-China Trade Balance
Despite efforts to reduce dependency, strong economic ties and trade data between the two countries maintain their place on the agenda.
In the period of July 2026, the US recorded a trade deficit of $17.36 billion with China, the highest level in the last 16 months.