BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out an extravagant spread for President Trump Friday before their historic summit ended — as the US delegation dined on the commander in chief’s trusty standby, McDonald’s.
The bilateral tea and lunch Xi served inside his Zhongnanhai compound in Beijing was a nod to Chinese culture, with kung pao chicken and scallops, and braised greens among the fare, with brownies for dessert.
Chinese President Xi Jinping gestures during a meeting with President Trump after their visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15, 2026. Evan Vucci/Pool Reuters via AP The full menu:
The US delegation was treated to McDonald’s Big Macs and chicken sandwiches — but not the iconic chain’s french fries.
The state dinner Trump and Xi shared Thursday night was equally lavish, with a spread that honored both Chinese and American heritage.
The dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing featured crispy beef ribs, roast duck, lobster in tomato soup, salmon in mustard sauce and pan-fried pork bun. For dessert, there was tiramisu, fruits and ice cream, another favorite of the commander in chief.
When Xi visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2017, he served his Chinese counterpart a dry-aged New York prime strip steak.
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