Trump Describes Xi Jinping's Officials as "Scared" During Bilateral Meeting, Wishes for Similar Cabinet Discipline

Trump recounted his meeting with Xi and his officials and said, "Never seen men so scared in my life"

In a meeting with Republican senators at a White House breakfast on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump recounted his bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and his officials.

He described how there were six officials on either side of Xi, and all of them were standing straight. "And every one of those people were standing like this," Trump said, with his arms behind his back and his chin up. "They were at attention."

When Trump spoke to one of them, he did not get any response. "I said, 'Are you gonna answer me?' I got no response. And President Xi didn't let him have any", adding, "I want my Cabinet to behave like that."

"I've never seen men so scared in my life," the US leader said as the room erupted in laughter.

"Why don't you behave like that? JD doesn't behave like that. JD butts into conversations. I want to have that for at least a couple of days, OK, JD?" Trump remarked to Vice President JD Vance, who then pretended to sit up straight, generating more laughter from those present.

It is worth noting that Trump's own cabinet meetings have been characterized by displays of loyalty. A televised Cabinet gathering in August appeared more like a competition of who could praise Trump the most rather than a governmental discussion.

Jen Psaki, former press secretary for President Joe Biden, characterized the meeting as "sycophantic," suggesting that the flattery from Trump's senior officials "would make North Korean leaders like Kim Jong Un or Russian President [Vladimir] Putin blush."

Trump and Xi met in Busan last month for bilateral discussions before the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which marked their first face-to-face encounter since Trump's return to the White House.

Trump referred to Xi as a "very tough negotiator," suggesting their conversations focused on ongoing economic disputes between the two nations.