Inside the Trump-Xi state menu that mixed Chinese diplomacy with American comfort food

Xi Jinping rolled out an elaborate diplomatic lunch for Donald Trump in Beijing on Friday, offering a carefully curated spread of Chinese delicacies and Western-style desserts as the two leaders wrapped up a high-stakes summit inside the Zhongnanhai compound.

But outside the closed-door gathering, the contrast could not have been sharper.

While the two presidents dined on lobster balls, kung pao chicken, scallops and beef fillet, staffers, media personnel and lower-ranking officials were reportedly served McDonald’s meals, including Big Macs and chicken sandwiches.

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The unusual split-screen moment quickly became one of the most talked-about details from the summit.

A diplomatic lunch steeped in symbolism

Beijing summit report shows that there was Chinese cuisine, but efforts were made to consider the dietary requirements of President Trump.

There was seafood soup with ground codfish, crispy lobster balls, grilled beef fillet stuffed with morel mushrooms, kung pao chicken with scallops, steamed green vegetables, bamboo sprouts, pork and shrimps dumplings and beef buns with soup. Chocolate brownies, ice creams and fruits, coffee and tea were also there for dessert.

The menu seemed similar to the one prepared at the state dinner on Thursday at Great Hall of the People, which offered roasted duck, crisp beef ribs, lobster soup and tiramisu to Trump and Xi.

Diplomatic observers noted that the meals appeared designed to blend Beijing’s ceremonial hospitality with dishes familiar to the American president.

McDonald’s outside the summit room

While the leaders held talks over a formal luncheon, staffers and reporters stationed outside the main event received McDonald’s meal bags instead.

According to multiple reports, the fast-food offerings included burgers and chicken sandwiches, though French fries were notably absent.

The contrast between the lavish state banquet and the takeaway-style meals outside quickly sparked reactions online, with many describing it as a snapshot of modern summit diplomacy.

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Trump has long been associated with McDonald’s and fast food during both his presidential campaigns and time in office.

Trump praises Xi during final day in Beijing

Before the lunch meeting, Xi Jinping took US President Donald Trump on a personal tour around the gardens of Zhongnanhai, after which Trump expressed his appreciation for his meeting and their friendship. “This has been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it,” Trump said during the garden tour.

“He’s a man I respect greatly. Become really a friend,” Trump added while speaking about Xi. The meeting also featured an invitation for Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan to pay him a visit in Washington later in the year.

This summit came at an important time for US-Chinese relations since both powers continue to discuss issues related to trade, technology, global security, and competition.