After concluding his Beijing visit, U.S. President Donald Trump and his delegation reportedly discarded all items provided by Chinese officials before boarding Air Force One for Washington on Friday. According to reports in American media, burner phones, ID cards, badges, press invitations, and various souvenirs given during the visit were collected and thrown away as part of strict security measures. White House security officials and the Secret Service allegedly enforced the move over fears of possible cyber surveillance, tracking, and espionage. The incident once again highlights the deep tensions between the United States and China over cybersecurity and intelligence operations. Analysts say temporary credentials and communication devices are often destroyed or abandoned after high-level diplomatic visits for security reasons. However, no official statement has yet been issued by either the White House or Chinese authorities regarding the claims. Before departing Beijing, Trump jokingly responded to questions about Chinese surveillance by saying, “We spy on them heavily too,” a remark that quickly drew global attention and reflected the ongoing cyber rivalry between the world’s two superpowers.
US delegation throws away gifts from China over security concerns
