15/05/2026
What was the first thing Trump and Xi Jinping said to each other during the American president's official visit to China?
Jimping: Mr. Trump, where is your interpreter?
Trump: I don't need an interpreter. You can speak Chinese. I speak Chinese perfectly. Except for a few technical words.
Jimping: 哦真的嗎?我簡直不敢相信。
Trump: Txi pa lou tong xai kosiko so sa
Jimping: What did you say?
Trump: O si la kou pitiu kaso lakola
Jimping: I don't understand.
Trump: But man, don't you speak Chinese?
Jimping: 我是漢語文法書的作者。
Trump: Oi ja lush tin gol hus
Jimping: What?
Trump: Ha ja fe liko su lidi baru
Jimping: I don't understand.
Trump: You're the president of China and you don't understand Chinese? You should be ashamed of yourself.
Jimping: Where did you learn Chinese?
Trump: Everyone in America speaks Chinese. The secret is in pursing your lips. Like this, see? Li gu txi qun tan long. It's very easy. If you want, we can teach you. Marco! Rubio!
Rubio: Yes, Mr. President?
Trump: Teach this man Chinese, will you?