US President Donald Trump presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with a sculpture of a bald eagle during a state dinner at the White House on Thursday (Sep 24), describing the bird as a symbol of American freedom.The roughly three-foot sculpture was displayed atop a podium and was designed by an American artist in collaboration with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, the US president said during his remarks.<h2>‘Free and soaring spirit of America’</h2>“The bald eagle is a national symbol of the United States and an embodiment of the free and soaring spirit of America,” Trump said as he presented the gift to Xi. “We hope it’ll find a nice place, a wonderful place in Beijing,” he added.Trump also told the Chinese president that he and Melania had been involved in designing the sculpture.The gift came at the end of a state dinner hosted for Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, during the Chinese president’s first state visit to the White House in more than a decade. The White House said the dinner was held in the East Room and included official delegations, business leaders and government officials.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-ve-never-gotten-along-better-trump-praises-xi-jokes-about-white-house-ballroom-at-high-stakes-state-dinner-1790298530847">‘We’ve never gotten along better’: Trump praises Xi, jokes about White House ballroom at high-stakes state dinner</a>&nbsp;<h2>From national symbol to national bird</h2>The bald eagle has long been associated with the United States. The US Fish and Wildlife Service says the species is solely native to North America and has historically ranged from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.Congress formally designated the bald eagle as the national bird in 2024, after it had served as a national symbol for centuries.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spy-vs-spy-as-xi-meets-trump-a-12-year-history-of-us-china-espionage-accusations-wion-decodes-1790071582437">SPY VS SPY: As Xi meets Trump, a 12-year history of US-China espionage accusations | WION Decodes</a>Trump's choice of the eagle as a gift to Xi placed one of America's most recognisable national symbols at the centre of the diplomatic dinner, with the president explicitly linking it to what he described as the country's “free and soaring spirit”.The presentation was part of a broader state visit marked by ceremonial events, military honours and diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing. The White House said Xi's visit would conclude on Friday with a visit by the two presidential couples to the National Archives in Washington.

Donald Trump gifted Xi Jinping a roughly three-foot bald eagle sculpture during a White House state dinner, describing the bird as a symbol of American freedom. The gesture came as Washington and Beijing sought to project warmer ties.

US President Donald Trump presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with a sculpture of a bald eagle during a state dinner at the White House on Thursday (Sep 24), describing the bird as a symbol of American freedom. The roughly three-foot sculpture was displayed atop a podium and was designed by an American artist in collaboration with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, the US president said during his remarks. ‘Free and soaring spirit of America’ “The bald eagle is a national symbol of the United States and an embodiment of the free and soaring spirit of America,” Trump said as he presented the gift to Xi. “We hope it’ll find a nice place, a wonderful place in Beijing,” he added. Trump also told the Chinese president that he and Melania had been involved in designing the sculpture. The gift came at the end of a state dinner hosted for Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, during the Chinese president’s first state visit to the White House in more than a decade. The White House said the dinner was held in the East Room and included official delegations, business leaders and government officials. Also read | ‘We’ve never gotten along better’: Trump praises Xi, jokes about White House ballroom at high-stakes state dinner From national symbol to national bird The bald eagle has long been associated with the United States. The US Fish and Wildlife Service says the species is solely native to North America and has historically ranged from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico. Congress formally designated the bald eagle as the national bird in 2024, after it had served as a national symbol for centuries. Also read | SPY VS SPY: As Xi meets Trump, a 12-year history of US-China espionage accusations | WION Decodes Trump's choice of the eagle as a gift to Xi placed one of America's most recognisable national symbols at the centre of the diplomatic dinner, with the president explicitly linking it to what he described as the country's “free and soaring spirit”. The presentation was part of a broader state visit marked by ceremonial events, military honours and diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing. The White House said Xi's visit would conclude on Friday with a visit by the two presidential couples to the National Archives in Washington.

Donald Trump gifted Xi Jinping a roughly three-foot bald eagle sculpture during a White House state dinner, describing the bird as a symbol of American freedom. The gesture came as Washington and Beijing sought to project warmer ties.

Trump gifts Xi a bald eagle sculpture at White House dinner: Here’s what it symbolises

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan for a lavish state dinner in the East Room of the White House on Thursday (Sep 24). According to the Office of the First Lady, the preparations for the dinner were led by the First Lady. The statement added that the black-tie gathering will be attended by official delegations, business leaders and government officials.The state dinner comes as Trump hosts Xi in Washington for bilateral talks, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss trade, security, AI, war in the Middle East and Taiwan. Welcoming Xi, Trump said that the US and China have a relationship built on “mutual respect” and the two nations “forged a truly great friendship”. Meanwhile, the Chinese president called for deeper communication and cooperation with the United States, warning that growing rivalry between the two powers must not slide into military confrontation.<h2>What’s on the state dinner menu?</h2>According to the official statement, the state dinner’s menu showcases “American ingredients with subtle Chinese influence, bringing the culinary traditions of both nations together.” The dinner will begin with a toast of Schramsberg “Blanc De Noir,” which is a reference to the “Toast to Peace” shared by President Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing in 1972.In the first course, yellow squash velouté will be served. The dish contains a blend of earthy flavours of wild mushrooms sautéed with fresh herbs. It also features crispy pancetta for a savoury and smoky contrast, along with a drizzle of scallion oil.The guests will be served sesame crusted sea bass in the second course. It will be served with crisp baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant and sauce verte of fresh herbs.The dinner will conclude with vanilla crémeux with sour cherry confit and walnut frangipane. The dessert will also include ice cream prepared with honey harvested at the White House. The First Lady unveiled a new beehive on the property’s grounds in April.<h2>Performances and décor</h2>During the formal dinner, Christopher Macchio will deliver several performances. Macchio is a classically trained tenor who performed at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. There will also be performances by military musicians from the United States Marines Corps and the United States Army during the evening.The White House evening décor blends Chinese and American traditions, with red blossoms, rich red linens, dahlias, ranunculus, and White House collection vermeil adorning the tables.&nbsp;

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at a lavish White House state dinner, featuring performances and décor blending Chinese and American traditions. Here’s all you need to know:

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan for a lavish state dinner in the East Room of the White House on Thursday (Sep 24). According to the Office of the First Lady, the preparations for the dinner were led by the First Lady. The statement added that the black-tie gathering will be attended by official delegations, business leaders and government officials. The state dinner comes as Trump hosts Xi in Washington for bilateral talks, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss trade, security, AI, war in the Middle East and Taiwan. Welcoming Xi, Trump said that the US and China have a relationship built on “mutual respect” and the two nations “forged a truly great friendship”. Meanwhile, the Chinese president called for deeper communication and cooperation with the United States, warning that growing rivalry between the two powers must not slide into military confrontation. What’s on the state dinner menu? According to the official statement, the state dinner’s menu showcases “American ingredients with subtle Chinese influence, bringing the culinary traditions of both nations together.” The dinner will begin with a toast of Schramsberg “Blanc De Noir,” which is a reference to the “Toast to Peace” shared by President Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing in 1972. In the first course, yellow squash velouté will be served. The dish contains a blend of earthy flavours of wild mushrooms sautéed with fresh herbs. It also features crispy pancetta for a savoury and smoky contrast, along with a drizzle of scallion oil. The guests will be served sesame crusted sea bass in the second course. It will be served with crisp baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant and sauce verte of fresh herbs. The dinner will conclude with vanilla crémeux with sour cherry confit and walnut frangipane. The dessert will also include ice cream prepared with honey harvested at the White House. The First Lady unveiled a new beehive on the property’s grounds in April. Performances and décor During the formal dinner, Christopher Macchio will deliver several performances. Macchio is a classically trained tenor who performed at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. There will also be performances by military musicians from the United States Marines Corps and the United States Army during the evening. The White House evening décor blends Chinese and American traditions, with red blossoms, rich red linens, dahlias, ranunculus, and White House collection vermeil adorning the tables.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at a lavish White House state dinner, featuring performances and décor blending Chinese and American traditions. Here’s all you need to know:

What’s on the menu? Inside Trump’s lavish White House state dinner for Xi

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Trump gifts Xi a bald eagle sculpture at White House dinner: Here’s what it symbolises

What’s on the menu? Inside Trump’s lavish White House state dinner for Xi