Members of US President Donald Trump’s delegation reportedly followed strict security measures during and after their recent visit to China, reflecting Washington’s continued concerns over cyber espionage and electronic surveillance.
According to a report by The Mirror US cited by News18, officials travelling with Trump to Beijing were instructed to use only temporary “burner phones” during the trip. After returning to the United States, the devices were reportedly destroyed or discarded as part of standard security precautions.
Gifts and souvenirs left behind
The security measures reportedly extended beyond electronic devices. Before departing Beijing aboard Air Force One, members of the delegation allegedly threw away items received during the visit, including gifts, badges, pins and commemorative souvenirs, per a News18 report.
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Reports circulating online claimed officials were specifically told not to carry any China-origin items onto the aircraft. Delegation members were also reportedly said to have left their personal phones and electronic gadgets at home before travelling.
The use of clean, temporary devices is considered a common practice during high-level diplomatic visits to countries viewed as cybersecurity risks.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, take a walk through Zhongnanhai Garden. ANI Why burner phones are used
US intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned that foreign trips involving sensitive officials may expose electronic devices to hacking attempts, malware installation, surveillance operations or data extraction.
Security experts say even devices that are switched off can potentially be targeted through sophisticated cyber tools. Destroying temporary phones after official travel is seen as a way to limit the possibility of compromised communications or long-term tracking.
Long-running cyber tensions
The reported precautions come against the backdrop of years of cyber-related accusations between Washington and Beijing. The United States has frequently accused China-linked groups of hacking government systems, stealing intellectual property and carrying out industrial espionage.
🚨 🇺🇸🇨🇳 BREAKING: The entire US delegation just dumped EVERY Chinese gift into trash bins at the foot of Air Force One — right before boarding, in full view of the cameras.
— Donald J Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) May 16, 2026
Every badge, pin, commemorative souvenir… gone.
Every Chinese-issued phone handed to staff and press…… pic.twitter.com/0MZUK8JNIj
China has consistently denied those allegations and has accused the US of conducting large-scale surveillance activities globally.
The issue resurfaced during Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. When reporters asked whether cyberattacks were discussed during the meeting, Trump acknowledged mutual accusations between both countries.
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“And he talked about attacks we did in China… What they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them too," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, per News18.
Trump further claimed he told Xi, “We do a lot of stuff to you that you don’t know about."
Talks focused on broader issues
Trump’s visit to China included discussions on trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, energy cooperation and wider US-China ties. Despite expectations surrounding tariffs, Trump later said the issue did not come up during his meeting with Xi.
The reported disposal of devices and gifts after the visit highlights the deep mistrust that continues to shape US-China relations, even during diplomatic engagement.
