At the conclusion of the second day of US-China trade talks in London, the Chinese negotiators threw in the towel.
Sources indicated that the Chinese delegation, feeling a bit peckish, opted for takeout from McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC, placing their order around 7:30 PM local time.
In contrast, the US team—comprised of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnick, and trade representative Jamie Songlia—chose to indulge in Pizza Express, a British chain known for its pizzas.
One insider remarked that the Chinese officials’ choice of fast food represented a “complete cultural victory” for the US.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK did not return requests for comment.
The negotiations took place at Lancaster House last month, a historic venue situated a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace and close to Mayfair, an area well-known for its high-end restaurants.
Chinese officials, led by Vice President Lifeng, may have unintentionally dealt a blow to the UK’s culinary reputation, which has often faced criticism from foreign observers over the years.
However, the insider did not provide any insights on whether the quality of the meals for Beijing’s top brass could influence the chances of reaching a deal with Washington.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who characterized the talks as “productive,” is heading back to DC to brief Congress.
On Monday, President Trump mentioned to reporters that things were progressing with China, remarking, “China is not easy.”
Trump himself is known for his fondness for fast food, famously stopping at a McDonald’s drive-thru during a campaign event in Pennsylvania last October.
A book published in 2017 by former campaign staffers revealed some of his favorite McDonald’s orders, which includes two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a chocolate milkshake.
The trade discussions have covered various topics, except for fast food, semiconductors related to artificial intelligence, student visas for Chinese nationals studying in the US, and rare earth minerals crucial for automakers, all of which are subject to tariffs.
The negotiations were sparked by Trump’s mutual tariff threats.
