The US delegation, led by President Trump, was instructed to dispose of various items collected during their recent trip to China before boarding Air Force One for the return flight. This directive came after two days of talks with Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping.
Items Surrendered
White House staffers and reporters were required to surrender gifts, credential badges, lapel pins, and burner phones issued by China. According to Emily Goodin, a New York Post correspondent, these items were discarded in a bin at the base of the plane's stairs. Goodin noted, "Nothing from China allowed on the plane," in a post on X (source).
Security Concerns
While no official reason was given for this precaution, security concerns are likely a factor. The US has long accused China of espionage and cyberattacks, and it is conceivable that some gifted items could be compromised. Historically, governments have used gifts for surveillance purposes (source).
Prominent Delegation Members
The US delegation included notable figures such as White House communications director Steven Cheung, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang, all of whom were seen wearing pins on their coat lapels during the visit. Secret Service agents were also part of the delegation.
Unanswered Questions
The White House has not commented on the order to dispose of these items. The move highlights ongoing tensions and security concerns between the US and China, despite the cordial nature of the summit discussions.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/15/us-orders-travelers-on-air-force-one-to-throw-away-gifts-pins-and-burner-phones-after-china-trip/
