Concerns over depleted U.S. missile stockpiles are casting a shadow over President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, with analysts warning the Iran war may have weakened Washington’s leverage.
According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. has significantly reduced inventories of Tomahawk, Patriot, THAAD, and other advanced missiles during operations tied to the Iran conflict. Experts said rebuilding some stockpiles could take years.
"How US missile shortages could strengthen China’s hand during Trump visit"
— Andy_Weeble_Weaver😷⚫🦋andy-weaver.bsky.social🗿 (@AndrewW66619812) May 13, 2026
“Depleted US weapons stockpiles as a result of its war in Iran risk eroding Donald Trump’s bargaining power when he meets Xi Jinping in China this week.”https://t.co/S79NW27Yw9
The report also highlighted growing concern over America’s dependence on Chinese rare earth minerals used in missile systems, radar, and military electronics. China controls most global supplies of these materials, giving Beijing potential leverage during trade and security talks.
Analysts said the shortages raise broader questions about U.S. readiness in the Indo-Pacific, particularly regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea. However, several experts cautioned that China may avoid aggressively exploiting the situation to prevent further escalation with Washington.
Also Read:
Trump And Xi Open High-Stakes Beijing Summit
Why Jensen Huang Joined Trump’s China Visit At The Last Minute
