Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Inside Trump's White House State Dinner Menu for Xi
Donald Trump and Melania Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at a special dinner.
The dinner took place in the East Room of the White House on Thursday, September 24.
Government officials, business leaders and other delegates attended.
The meal was designed to combine American foods with subtle Chinese influences.
Guests began with squash soup containing mushrooms, herbs, pancetta and scallion oil.
The main course was sea bass with sesame, bok choy, eggplant and herb sauce.
Dessert included cherries, walnuts and ice cream made with honey from the White House.
The evening began with a sparkling-wine toast linked to a 1972 toast by Richard Nixon and Zhou Enlai.
A tenor and military musicians also performed.
The dinner took place while Trump and Xi discussed issues including trade, security, artificial intelligence, the Middle East war and Taiwan.
Donald and Melania Trump hosted Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at a White House state dinner in the East Room on Thursday, September 24.
The black-tie event included official delegations, business leaders and government officials during bilateral US-China talks.
The three-course menu paired American ingredients with what the White House described as subtle Chinese influence.
Dishes included yellow squash velouté, sesame-crusted sea bass and vanilla crémeux with cherry, walnut and White House honey elements.
Christopher Macchio and military musicians from the United States Marine Corps and United States Army were scheduled to perform.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, alongside officials, business leaders and delegations.
- What
- A formal three-course White House state dinner featuring American ingredients, subtle Chinese influences and musical performances.
- When
- Thursday, September 24; the year is not specified in the articles.
- Where
- The East Room of the White House in Washington, United States.
- Why
- The dinner accompanied bilateral talks between the United States and China on trade, security, artificial intelligence, the war in the Middle East and Taiwan.
Cooperation and Mutual Respect
Concern Over Strategic Rivalry
US-China relationship
Cooperation and Mutual Respect
Donald Trump described the relationship as based on mutual respect and said the two countries had forged a great friendship.
Concern Over Strategic Rivalry
Xi Jinping called for deeper communication and cooperation while warning that rivalry should not develop into military confrontation.
- Hosts
- Donald Trump and Melania Trump
- Guests of honor
- Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan
- Location
- East Room, White House
- Opening toast
- Schramsberg Blanc de Noir, referencing a 1972 toast by Richard Nixon and Zhou Enlai
- First course
- Yellow squash velouté with wild mushrooms, herbs, pancetta and scallion oil
- Main course
- Sesame-crusted sea bass with baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant and fresh-herb sauce
- Dessert
- Vanilla crémeux with sour cherry confit, walnut frangipane and ice cream made with White House honey
