Republican Senator Suggests Trump Bring Chinese Leader To Panda Express: ‘I’d Love To See That Happen’

 

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) suggested that President Donald Trump invite Chinese President Xi Jinping to sample the offerings at Panda Express.

On Wednesday, Trump literally rolled out the red carpet for Xi and met him at Joint Base Andrews upon arriving in the U.S. With the exception of the pope, it was the first time a U.S. president has met a world leader there since 1962.

Xi will attend a White House state dinner on Thursday evening, where Trump administration officials said the president is expected to speak with his counterpart about AI, fentanyl, and the looming expiration of a tariff truce in January.

Trump has expressed admiration for the Chinese dictator, marveling at his power and saying the two have a “truly great friendship.”

Lee appeared on Thursday’s Kudlow on Fox Business, where the host asked if Trump is being overly fawning.

“Is President Trump being too nice and too good to President Xi?” Larry Kudlow asked. “Going to the airport, you know? That’s pretty unusual. It’s hard to know what’s gonna come out of it. Some of your colleagues have been critical. I’m not being critical. I’m just wondering how you’ve– you’re a leading conservative voice. What are you thinking about all this?”

“Larry, one of the many things I love about President Trump is that he is the consummate host,” Lee replied, before recommending Trump bring Xi to Panda Express, the fast food chain that sells Americanized Chinese cuisine. “And when a foreign dignitary, whether from China or anywhere else, comes into town, he likes to show them around. He likes to show them the White House. I won’t be a bit surprised if he decides at one point to say, ‘President Xi, let’s go visit Panda Express and see what you think of hair broccoli beef.’ I’d love to see that happen. That’s the kind of thing President Trump likes to do. He likes to figure out what people are interested in and makes sure he shows them a good time while they’re visiting.”

“Yeah, good points,” Kudlow replied.

Watch above via Fox Business Network.

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Mike is a Mediaite senior editor who covers the news in primetime. Follow him on Bluesky.