U.S. President Donald Trump presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with a grand statue of the United States’ national symbol, the ‘Bald Eagle,’ during a lavish state dinner. The statue, representing a distinctive raptor species native to North America, was showcased before the distinguished guests attending Thursday’s event. President Trump described it as a symbol of America’s “spirit of independence and vitality.” He also noted that he and First Lady Melania Trump played an active role in designing the figure.
This gift highlights a key element of international diplomatic etiquette, which can sometimes be delicate. Such exchanges are small but meaningful facets of the three-day summit between Xi Jinping and Trump, aimed at strengthening the personal relationship between the leaders of the world’s two superpowers. “They will discuss various complex issues,” said Daniel Kritenbrink, a partner at The Asia Group. “But ultimately, they are just two normal people.”
Kritenbrink, who has served over 30 years in American diplomacy with much of his career focused on Asia, emphasized the importance of such gift exchanges. He noted that personal relationships are especially significant and profound for President Xi. He believes the closeness between Trump and Xi “continues to connect one of the world’s most complicated and important relationships.” During Trump’s administration, the exchange of gifts took on added significance, with the U.S. president receiving luxury items ranging from lavish jumbo jets to intricately engraved gold bars, diamond-studded rings, and other precious gemstone-adorned gold gifts.
