Xi Serves Trump Beef Ribs and Roast Duck at Beijing State Dinner
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 14
Xi Serves Trump Beef Ribs and Roast Duck at Beijing State Dinner
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 14
Beef ribs, roast duck and tiramisu headlined Thursday’s Beijing state dinner as Xi Jinping hosted Donald Trump and Chinese chefs tailored the meal to Trump’s well-known tastes.
The menu mixed Chinese and international dishes — including lobster in tomato soup, salmon in mustard sauce and pan-fried pork bun — while relying on traditional ingredients and cooking techniques.
That caution echoed Trump’s 2017 China visit, when chefs served seafood chowder, kung pao chicken and beef steak with tomato sauce rather than more challenging local specialties.
Other Asian hosts have made similar gestures: Japan served Trump American beef and rice in October, while past trips brought him steak with ketchup in South Korea and U.S. Angus beef sandwiches in Malaysia.
Beyond the catered menu, what progress was made on the US-Iran war during the Beijing summit?
Does 'comfort food diplomacy' build goodwill or highlight an unwillingness to embrace foreign cultures?
Will the summit's jovial tone translate into real cooperation on fentanyl and global trade disputes?