Trump and Xi Jingping summit: How are the United States and China redefining their relationship?

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As tensions over trade, Taiwan, technology, and global influence intensify, the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may determine the future balance of power between Washington and Beijing. By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Sulaimani, Iraq | 13 May 2026 — Kurdish Policy Analysis "We don't have permanent allies and we don't have permanent enemies, only our interests are permanent, and we have to follow them." – Henry John Temple. The root of the current Strait of Hormuz tensions is not only about shipping routes or oil prices, but also about the final collapse of the historical US concept towards Beijing. However, the 2025 National Security Strategy, released by the White House in November, says this was a historic mistake because China used the assets it accumulated to strengthen itself and compete with the West, not to become their partner. For many years, the United States alone maintained maritime security; The fifth US ship in Manama, Bahrain, worked only to keep o...
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Baghdad-Erbil oil dispute threatens Iraq economy as Hormuz route remains cut off


 Iraq has been cut off from trade via the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran has developed over the last two weeks.

An oil and trade dispute between Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq is having ramifications for Baghdad and could also present larger ramifications for the region.

Iraq has been cut off from trade via the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran has developed over the last two weeks. One option for the country would be to export oil through the Kurdistan Region, which has a pipeline to Turkey.

However, Baghdad has also sought to isolate and control the Kurdistan Region via a trade embargo at the border with Turkey. This is also important because many countries are trying to use pipelines and other means to get around the closure of theStrait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has similar challenges.

As Baghdad seeks to pressure Erbil, the dispute continues, which will likely harm the economy in Baghdad and have wider ramifications across Iraq. Another issue is that the country refuses to rein in the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq who have been attacking US forces and foreign militaries, consulates and also targeting the Kurds.

The Kurdistan Region has said that Baghdad has imposed a trade embargo on the autonomous region, and they want it lifted. The KRG said Baghdad has, since January, “imposed a suffocating embargo under the pretext of implementing the ASYCUDA customs system…[and] prevented dollars from reaching the Kurdistan Region’s traders, effectively halting commercial activity.”

Kurdish pipeline key as Iraq loses Hormuz route

According to Rudaw Media Network in Erbil, “the Iraqi oil ministry said on Sunday it is prepared to export up to 300,000 barrels of oil per day through the Kurdistan Region’s pipeline to Turkey if Erbil allows Baghdad to use the route. A Kurdish official said they are ready to export the oil if Baghdad lifts the dollar embargo on the Region.” Up to 300,000 barrels a day could be sent via the pipeline to Turkey and the port of Ceyhan.

The Kurdistan Region’s government says that this would be in addition to the export of around 200,000 barrels produced in the territory. “The Ministry of Natural Resources has confirmed its rejection of resuming exports at this time and has set several conditions that are unrelated to the issue of crude oil exports,” said the federal ministry, adding that they have told the Kurdish authorities that such conditions can be discussed later, “in parallel with the resumption of oil exports,” the KRG said.

Iraq is still in political limbo over choosing a new prime minister and president. The state's elections last November were not able to broker a political deal. US President Donald Trump warned Baghdad against choosing former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki.

Iraqi political parties are now also fighting with the Kurdistan Region over the oil issue. “Iraqi political parties and blocs on Sunday rejected the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) position conditioning the export of Iraqi oil through the Kurdistan Region’s pipeline to Turkey, calling on Erbil to ‘reconsider’ its stance and ‘uphold’ federal government decisions,” Rudaw noted.

“We affirm that the statement by the natural resources ministry in the Kurdistan Region represents an irresponsible position, intended to cause confusion, especially in light of the extraordinary circumstances Iraq is going through,” Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition (RDC) said in a statement.

The head of the Kurdistan Region’s largest party, the KDP, Masoud Barzani, has now called for talks between Baghdad and Erbil.

Barzani is a key figure in the region and the former president of the KRG. His relatives are the prime minister and president of the Kurdistan region today.

In a message from the Barzani Headquarters, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) urged "the federal Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG] to convene in order to resolve the issues and problems, to reach an agreement, and to prevent those opportunistic individuals who intend to further deepen these crises and problems.”


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