US President Donald Trump and his delegation reportedly discarded all gifts and souvenirs provided by Chinese officials before departing Beijing following a two-day visit focused on trade and rare minerals negotiations.
According to reports, members of the American delegation threw away items including burner phones, lapel pins, credentials, press invitations, and commemorative souvenirs into a trash bin placed near Air Force One before boarding the aircraft. The move was part of a long-standing US security protocol designed to prevent potential espionage or electronic tracking linked to Chinese devices and materials.
The strict measures were enforced by White House security personnel and the US Secret Service, who reportedly instructed staff that nothing originating from China could be brought onto the presidential aircraft.
New York Post White House correspondent Emily Goodin said American staff collected every item distributed by Chinese officials and disposed of them before boarding. She noted that the policy has been followed during previous US delegations’ visits to China as well, though this time the disposal happened publicly.
The incident comes amid continuing tensions between the United States and China over cybersecurity and intelligence operations. During the trip, Trump himself acknowledged that both countries engage in espionage activities against each other.
When asked whether he confronted Chinese President Xi Jinping over cyberattacks targeting US infrastructure, Trump reportedly responded that spying between the two nations is “a common thing,” adding that the United States also spies on China.
Despite hopes for major economic agreements during the Beijing visit, reports suggest the trip produced limited outcomes beyond discussions involving soybeans and Boeing aircraft deals.
The incident sparked widespread reaction on social media. Geopolitical analyst Jurgen Nauditt sarcastically commented that China may be the only country from which Trump would refuse to accept gifts.
