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Paulson Warns Iran Conflict Threatens U.S.-China Summit

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Hank Paulson, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, warned the U.S.-China summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may not occur if Iran's war escalates.
He described the U.S. and Chinese economies as intertwined and warned of 'mutually assured economic disruption'.
Paulson noted a trust deficit but remained hopeful the summit could foster stability by establishing mechanisms to manage trade amid rising oil prices tied to Iran.

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Story summary

Hank Paulson, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, warned the U.S.-China summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may not occur if Iran's war escalates.
He described the U.S. and Chinese economies as intertwined and warned of 'mutually assured economic disruption'.
Paulson noted a trust deficit but remained hopeful the summit could foster stability by establishing mechanisms to manage trade amid rising oil prices tied to Iran.