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Trump Jokes He Wants Cabinet to Mirror Xi’s Silent Aides

The quip followed his Oct. 30 Busan talks with Xi that he has portrayed as a success.

Overview

  • Speaking at a White House breakfast event on Nov. 5, Trump recounted how six Chinese officials stood rigidly with their backs straight behind Xi during last month's bilateral in Busan.
  • He said he had "never seen men so scared" and described one aide who stayed silent when Trump tried to engage him.
  • Turning to Vice President JD Vance, Trump joked that Vance "butts into conversations" and asked him to mimic the aides' restraint for "a couple of days."
  • Reports say the Oct. 30 meeting in Busan lasted about one hour and forty minutes and focused on trade frictions and China's growing global assertiveness.
  • After the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social that it was "a great one" that would bring peace and success, while Wednesday's remarks introduced no new policy commitments.