Xi’s route shortened his flight to the U.S., Trump says after summit

A private tea in the White House Red Room became a brief discussion of aviation after U.S. President Donald Trump remarked on how quickly Chinese President Xi Jinping had reached the United States for his state visit. Trump described Xi’s aircraft as exceptionally fast, while Xi pointed instead to the route taken.

The exchange came as the leaders marked the conclusion of Xi’s visit. In footage recorded during the gathering, Trump expressed surprise that the Chinese president’s journey had taken hours less than his own trip in May. He called Xi’s plane “the fastest plane,” according to the account of their conversation.

Xi responded that the difference was due to the flight path. His explanation placed the emphasis not on the aircraft’s speed but on the route used to cross the distance between China and the United States. The account does not provide further details about the route, the aircraft, or the precise duration of either journey.

The footage was captured after television journalists assigned to the White House press pool resumed coverage. Their access had been restored following a court ruling that reversed the administration’s exclusion of outlets previously barred by Trump. The resumed pool coverage allowed the exchange during the private tea to be recorded.

The conversation took place in a ceremonial setting at the end of Xi’s state visit, but focused on a practical point of travel. Trump’s comparison was specifically with his own flight in May; the account does not give the date of that trip or identify its destination. Nor does it state exactly how many hours separated the two journeys.

Xi’s visit brought the Chinese leader to the White House for engagements with Trump, and the tea marked the close of the trip. Beyond the brief comments about the flight, the available account does not describe other subjects discussed over tea or provide details of any agreements or outcomes from the visit.

The moment also reflected the significance of the restored press access: journalists were again able to record and transmit material from the White House pool after the court decision. The exchange offered a glimpse of the leaders’ informal conversation, with Trump admiring the speed of Xi’s arrival and Xi crediting the route rather than the plane.