NPR News: 05-11-2026 1PM EDT

President Trump's upcoming state visit to China highlights tensions in the ongoing U.S. war with Iran, amid a mix of domestic security updates, public health alerts, technology advancements, and economic indicators in this NPR News Now roundup.

Trump, China, and the Iran War

President Trump is set for a high-stakes state visit to China this week, where discussions with President Xi Jinping will likely center on the U.S. conflict with Iran, given China's deep economic ties there. On Monday, Trump rejected Iran's counterproposal to the U.S. plan for ending hostilities, calling it "unacceptable." He asserted confidence in the U.S. position, stating, "You know, a lot of people said, well, does he have a plan? Yeah, of course they do have the best plan ever. I mean Iran has been defeated militarily totally. Uh they have a little left they probably built up during this period of time. We'll knock that out in about a day. But I have a plan." This exchange underscores ongoing military and diplomatic friction, with Trump emphasizing U.S. superiority and readiness to neutralize remaining Iranian capabilities swiftly.