Xi Jinping to meet Sisi in Cairo amid US sanctions threat

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday during his first visit to the Egyptian capital in a decade, as both countries face pressure from threatened or imposed US sanctions over financial links to Iran.

Xi arrived in Cairo on Tuesday evening with First Lady Peng Liyuan. They were received by Sisi and Egypt's First Lady Entissar Amer.

The two-day visit is expected to include a slate of economic agreements and talks on the fallout from the US-Iran war. The expected agreements include expanded economic trade in areas such as artificial intelligence, transport and energy.

Washington vowed last month to isolate Iran economically, threatening expanded sanctions that could also hit Chinese banks. Last week, the US Treasury announced sanctions on the Emirati branch of Egypt's Banque Misr for alleged support to Iran.

China is a major buyer of Iranian oil and has vowed to safeguard its interests. Egypt is one of the largest recipients of US military aid and has historically been a key Middle East mediator.

Sisi wrote in Egyptian media on Tuesday that Egypt and China were partners in strengthening the role of the global south. He also highlighted Cairo's “independent foreign policy”.

Chinese investment has played a role in major projects under Sisi's administration, including the Finance and Business District in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo. Beijing also has a major foothold in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, where Xi and Sisi are expected to discuss expanding investments as the US-Iran war threatens global maritime trade.

China's trade surplus with Egypt reached $12 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs data.