Tempers Flare During Trump’s Beijing Visit

President Donald Trump’s high-profile trip to Beijing turned tense behind closed doors Thursday as clashes repeatedly broke out between American officials and Chinese authorities during events with Chinese President Xi…

Andrew PowellMay 14, 20263 min read

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Another heated standoff developed later at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven.

Chinese security officials reportedly refused to allow a Secret Service agent into a secured area because the agent was armed, despite firearms being standard for presidential protection details.

American officials pushed back, refusing to continue without the agent.

The disagreement delayed the visit for roughly half an hour as both sides argued over the matter.

Eventually, a second Secret Service agent who had already passed security escorted the American press pool into the area while the first agent remained behind.

Trump and Xi arrived late at the temple after a delay and an earlier meeting that ran longer than expected.

After the two leaders posed for photographs and continued their tour, American reporters were escorted into a holding room and temporarily prevented from following the president.

When Trump later prepared to leave, tensions escalated again after Chinese officials allegedly blocked US journalists from rejoining the presidential motorcade.

American officials loudly protested the move.

During the confrontation, one White House official reportedly told the Chinese delegation that the Trump administration “would never treat them this way” during a visit to the United States.

The standoff finally ended when a White House staffer declared: “We are going.”

That prompted the American press group to force its way past Chinese officials and sprint across the temple grounds toward the waiting convoy.

Another group of Chinese personnel reportedly attempted to stop them by physically blocking their path, but the Americans continued forward and made it to the motorcade.

US reporters also dealt with strict restrictions throughout the summit.

According to reports, Chinese officials confiscated water bottles from members of the American press pool and limited bathroom access despite temperatures climbing above 80 degrees in Beijing.

No replacement water was reportedly provided.

Adding to the unusual atmosphere surrounding the summit was Ratner’s cameraman, who traveled aboard Air Force One with the delegation.

Ratner later said the cameraman was scouting locations and testing lighting conditions around Beijing ahead of filming for “Rush Hour 4,” not working on another documentary project.

Security concerns remained high throughout the visit.

Administration officials and reporters were reportedly instructed to use burner phones and temporary email accounts during the summit amid fears of cyber surveillance and hacking.