Donald Trump has offered a new justification for his planned $400 million White House ballroom, citing China's opulent state facilities. In a Truth Social post after leaving Beijing, the president wrote: “China has a Ballroom, and so should the U.S.A.!”
The post accompanied a photo of Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping outside the Great Hall of the People, where he attended a state banquet during his three-day visit. Trump claimed the ballroom is “under construction, ahead of schedule, and will be the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the U.S.A.”, with a scheduled opening around September 2028.
During the visit, Trump was treated to a lavish banquet featuring lobster, pork and tiramisu, and a military band played his favourite song, “Y.M.C.A.” He invited Xi to Washington in September, calling him “my friend”. Xi described the trip as “historic” and urged both nations to be “partners rather than rivals”.
Closed-door talks covered the Iran war, with Xi reportedly offering to mediate, and the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Xi also warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could trigger “an extremely dangerous situation”. Trade and fentanyl flows were also discussed.
Trump returns to a difficult domestic climate: the Iran war remains unpopular, fuel prices have surged, and wholesale inflation hit its highest since 2022. A CNN survey found 65% of Americans disapprove of his performance, his lowest rating to date.
