During President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, US staff reportedly ordered that no materials issued by Chinese officials be brought onto Air Force One, leading to all such items being thrown away before departure.
According to White House press pool accounts, American personnel collected everything handed out by Chinese authorities, including press credentials, pins, and burner phones issued to staff, and disposed of them at the aircraft steps before boarding.
“Nothing allowed on the plane”
White House correspondent Emily Goodin said on X that US staff gathered all China-issued items and placed them in a bin at the base of the aircraft stairs, making it clear that no Chinese materials were permitted onboard.
Reports said the discarded items included delegation badges, press passes, and communication devices provided to White House staff during the visit.
Tight security and behind-the-scenes tension
Although the summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared cordial in public, interactions between security and press teams were reportedly tense.
At one point, a US Secret Service agent accompanying the press was stopped from entering a site in Beijing because he was carrying a firearm, which violates local rules but aligns with US security protocols.
There were also reports of friction during departure when Chinese officials initially blocked the press pool from joining the presidential motorcade, before US aides intervened to resolve the situation.
Previous similar incidents
Such tensions are not new. During former US President Barack Obama’s 2016 visit to Hangzhou for the G20 summit, disagreements also arose between US and Chinese officials over access and security arrangements for the American delegation.
