According to reports from journalists covering the event, US staff and members of the travelling press accompanying President Donald Trump discarded all materials handed out by Chinese officials before boarding Air Force One on Friday. The move came as Trump concluded his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The items, which included mobile phones and identification badges provided by Chinese authorities, were reportedly collected and disposed of by US security personnel. This practice is standard protocol for US delegations visiting foreign countries to prevent potential surveillance or data breaches.
The Trump-Xi summit, which took place on Thursday and Friday, covered trade tensions, North Korea, and other bilateral issues. No official statement from the White House has confirmed the disposal of the devices, but multiple news outlets reported the incident based on eyewitness accounts from the press pool.
Security experts note that such measures are common for high-level diplomatic visits, as foreign-issued electronics could be compromised. The US Secret Service and State Department typically advise against using foreign-provided communication devices.
