
Trump team throwing China-gifted items, badges, pins, memorabilia, even burner phones, into a trash bin before boarding Air Force One is more than a protocol story. It reflects the deep distrust shaping U.S.–China ties: even gifts are now seen through the lens of cyber-surveillance, espionage and strategic rivalry. For Beijing, it looks like an insult. For the U.S., it was a security precaution. For the world, it shows how toxic the relationship has become.










