President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping started their summit with a lavish dinner at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday night. President Trump called the summit a great honor after hosting his counterpart Xi Jinping.
President Xi Jinping was seated on the right side of Trump, he joked that the two had a long discussion and so far, he had gotten nothing. Absolutely nothing. It is unclear if he was commenting on the service or the disussion. Trump also said that they have developed a friendship, adding that in the long-term they are going to have a very great relationship, and that he looks forward to it.
The two leaders did not address questions from reporters on North Korea. President Trump has adopted a positive tone on the U.S. – China relationship. He has departed from his hostile rhetoric on the campaign period about China’s currency manipulation and trade practices. Shortly before leaving for Florida on Air Force One, President Trump emphasized that the U.S. had not been treated fairly on trade.
The two enjoyed the lavish meals at Trump’s Palm Beach estate and private club in a gilded room with chandeliers hanging overhead. More than two dozen people were seated around the table, among them Trump's daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Chief White House Strategist Steve Bannon.
The fans who were expecting Big Macs were left full of disappointment. Back in 2015, Trump was speaking to Fox News when he pulled back at the idea of luxe state dinner due to China's currency manipulation tactics, instead saying if he were president he'd serve the Chinese leader a double Big Mac.
Trump said that he’d get him a McDonald's hamburger and he'd say we got to get down to work. Trump made the statement in the early days of his candidacy. That was not the case at Mar-A-Lago, Xi and his wife were presented a menu of pan-seared dover sole with champagne sauce and Thumbelina carrots, or dry-aged New York Strip steak with whipped potatoes. Xi Jinping will be in Mar-a-Lago until Friday in the afternoon.
