Donald Trump was determined to make a big impression when Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in the U.S. And one moment during the welcome quickly went viral – and it had to do with Trump.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday evening. His wife, Peng Liyuan, accompanied him.
Donald Trump and Melania were waiting to greet them, after which a ceremony followed. It included military bands, fighter jets, and a huge 100-foot red carpet. And, of course, it included a dramatic fly-by.
As the U.S. and Chinese national anthems played, two B-1 bombers flew overhead, producing an enormous roar. Trump appeared to enjoy it, looking up and saluting the passing aircraft.
However, the same can’t be said about President Xi. In fact, he didn’t look impressed. Video from the moment shows Xi Jinping standing next to Trump as the bombers thundered across the sky, with the U.S. president appearing to flinch at the noise. Meanwhile, Xi remained unfazed.
The moment flyover quickly sparked debates online. Some even suggested that the display may have been intended to demonstrate American military power in front of Xi.
Whether Donald Trump personally ordered the flyover as an ‘intimidation tactic’ is unknown. However, the timing surely made the moment stand out.
The B-1 Lancer is a long-range, supersonic bomber capable of carrying weapons over long distances. Using the B-1 for the flyover added another layer to an already well-choreographed welcome.
Trump suffers awkward moment as he welcomes President Xi Jinping
President Xi’s visit comes as the United States and China continue to navigate major disagreements over trade and other issues.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss topics including Russia, Iran and artificial intelligence during their meetings. Xi’s visit is his first to the US since 2015, when Barack Obama was president.
But for many watching the arrival, the unexpected moment between Trump and Xi during the flyover stole the show.
Thoughts on this? Please share your opinion on the meeting between the two presidents in the comments section!