Chinese reporters pushed and shoved with US Secret Service agents outside the White House on September 24 as President Donald Trump prepared to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit.
The confrontation took place as the White House press pool prepared for Xi Jinping’s arrival . The scene included shouting and physical jostling near White House entrance areas. During that trip, Chinese reporters rushed into a bilateral meeting area and knocked down a White House advance staff member, who suffered bruises. There was also a dispute at the Temple of Heaven after Chinese officials refused to let a Secret Service agent enter with his firearm. The disagreement delayed the press pool’s entry. Despite the White House confrontation, the Trump-Xi summit continued as planned. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, received a formal welcome from Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, including military honors. The talks covered trade, technology and artificial intelligence, while the press dispute stayed a side incident.
The confrontation brought back memories of Trump’s May 2026 visit to Beijing. The US and China were also working to extend their trade truce until January 10, 2027, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The travelling Chinese press corps pushed into limited camera areas and, according to reports, refused instructions from Secret Service agents to move.
