During a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, President Donald Trump made some unexpected comments about Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s physical appearance. While speaking with host Sean Hannity about their ongoing two-day state visit to China, Trump said he considers Xi to be a very tall person. He added that this stands out to him because he believes Chinese people tend to be shorter in general.
According to Mediaite, Trump told Hannity that if someone went to Hollywood to cast an actor to play the leader of China in a movie, they would not find anyone more fitting than Xi himself. He said, “He’s central casting. You couldn’t find a guy like him. Even his physical features, you know. He’s tall, very tall. And especially for this country, because they tend to be a little bit shorter.”
Hannity had asked about the nature of their negotiations and noted that Trump had previously described Xi as someone who is “all business.” Trump confirmed this, saying there are no games when the two meet, and that they do not waste time on small talk. He also described Xi as a warm person despite his intense, business-focused approach.
Trump’s China visit is the first by a U.S. president since 2017, and the stakes couldn’t be higher
The trip is the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to China since 2017, and it comes as both nations are trying to hold together a fragile trade truce. That truce was established in October, when Trump suspended triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods, and Xi agreed to avoid cutting off global supplies of rare earths. The White House said the two sides reached “balanced and positive outcomes” during the state visit, though specific details were limited.
Trump is pushing to secure deals on farm goods, beef, and Boeing aircraft. He told Fox News that China agreed to order 200 Boeing jets, but this fell short of the 500 jets many had expected. Boeing shares dropped by more than 4 percent following the announcement. U.S.
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has also been working on mechanisms to manage future trade, including identifying 30 billion dollars worth of non-sensitive goods. Trump has been equally bold on other geopolitical fronts, with reports indicating he is seriously pursuing Venezuela as a potential 51st state.
Several serious issues also came up during the summit. The case of Jimmy Lai, a media tycoon and government critic who was sentenced to 20 years in jail, was raised by Trump directly with Xi. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is traveling with the president, confirmed this and said the administration is open to any arrangement that could lead to Lai’s release.
China’s foreign ministry, however, has said that Hong Kong affairs are an internal matter. Taiwan also remains a major point of tension. Xi delivered a firm warning during the summit, saying that mishandling the Taiwan situation could cause relations to deteriorate badly, reports Reuters.
Rubio noted that the Chinese side consistently raises the issue, and the U.S. side consistently reaffirms its own position before moving forward to other topics. The administration has also faced scrutiny over its foreign policy claims elsewhere, with a recent report questioning how accurate Trump’s Iran victory statements really were.
As the visit wrapped up with tea and lunch at the Zhongnanhai complex, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform early Friday morning, writing, “Hopefully our relationship with China will be stronger and better than ever before!” Whether these negotiations lead to lasting progress or not, the administration is clearly trying to close out the trip on a positive note.
Published: May 15, 2026 10:33 am