Video: US delegation discards Chinese‑issued Items before departing Beijing
United States President Donald Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
Before boarding Air Force One after the May 2026 summit with President Xi, members of the U.S. delegation, including President Donald Trump, publicly discarded Chinese‑issued materials and devices into a trash bin at the foot of the aircraft stairs.
Accreditations, visitor badges, disposable “burner” phones and other items handed out by Chinese hosts during the visit were placed in the bin and left behind as the delegation prepared to depart.
The move was carried out in full view of accompanying staff and members of the press travelling with the delegation.
U.S. officials described the action as an operational step rooted in cybersecurity caution.
For the duration of the trip, the delegation relied on temporary burner phones issued by U.S. security teams, while delegates’ personal devices were secured on the plane inside Faraday bags designed to block wireless signals and mitigate remote access or tracking.
Officials said the procedures reflect standard U.S. protective measures for high‑level foreign travel and were coordinated with the White House security detail.
