Potential Taiwan tension sparked 'last minute' change in Trump-Xi National Archives visit

Potential Taiwan tension sparked ‘last minute’ change in Trump-Xi National Archives visit The sudden change was precipitated because of Chinese displeasure over one document that the U.S. had planned to show.

U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) speaks to Archivist of the United States Bradford Wilson (L) as he views the U.S. Constitution during a tour of the National Archives Museum alongside first lady Melania Trump, President of China Xi Jinping and first lady of China Peng Liyuan on September 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.

On Friday, the National Archives Museum prepared to welcome President Trump and the Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Inside the museum's main foyer, a long table had been set up in the center of the room that morning, with a temporary display resting on the black tablecloth showcasing a brick from the Great Wall of China and an elaborate 19th century scroll sent by a Qing emperor.

But the entire display was removed, due to a "last minute" change in the event, according to a Chinese diplomat granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The sudden change was precipitated because of Chinese displeasure over one document that the U.S. had planned to show: the Treaty of San Francisco of 1951, according to the diplomat and two other people familiar with the matter granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

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