During US President Donald Trump's state visit to China, a lavish banquet was held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, featuring a menu far removed from his famously fast-food preferences. The dinner, which marked Trump's first trip to China since 2017, included lobster in tomato soup, crispy beef ribs, and slow-cooked salmon in mustard sauce.
Chinese state dinners typically draw on Huaiyang cuisine, known for its mild flavours and refined knife-work. The meal began with hors d'oeuvres after Trump toasted his 'friend', President Xi Jinping. Among the guests was X boss Elon Musk, who was caught on camera snacking from his plate.
China has long used food as a diplomatic tool. Trump's visit also featured a 120-strong guard of honour, the largest staged for a state visit in living memory. In contrast, during a 2017 trip to Japan, Trump enjoyed an all-American burger with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, made with imported US beef and Heinz condiments.
