During the second day of U.S.-China trade talks in London, the Chinese negotiating team seemed to back down. According to reports, the hungry delegation opted for takeout from fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC around 7:30 PM local time after a full day of discussions.
The U.S. team, which included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnick, and trade representative Jamie Songlia, also chose fast food. They went for pizza from Pizza Express, a popular British establishment known for its homemade offerings.
One insider remarked that the choice of cuisine by the Chinese delegation represented a “complete cultural victory” for the U.S.
While the Chinese Embassy in the UK didn’t respond to requests for comment, last month, the U.S. and China had met at Lancaster House. This historic venue, located near Buckingham Palace, is surrounded by some of London’s finest dining spots. The two nations reached an agreement to temporarily suspend the imposition of heavy tariffs, which had been escalating tensions in global trade.
The actions of the Chinese officials, led by Vice President Lifeng, seemed to reflect poorly on the host nation, as critics have often highlighted Britain’s culinary reputation. An insider hinted, though, that it’s difficult to say whether the choice of food would actually influence the chances of a fruitful agreement with Washington.
Scott Bessent, after what he described as a “productive” meeting, is set to head back to Washington to brief Congress. President Trump recently stated, “We’re doing well with China. China is not easy,” acknowledging the complexities of the negotiations.
As a known fast food lover, Trump previously made headlines by serving customers at a McDonald’s drive-thru during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. A 2017 book noted his usual order: two Big Macs, two fish sandwiches, and a chocolate milkshake.
The discussions included a wide range of topics, excluding fast food, but touching on vital sectors like semiconductors driving AI, student visas for Chinese scholars, and rare earth minerals critical for various industries—all subject to tax disputes. The ongoing negotiations stem from Trump’s reciprocal tariff threats.
