U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly told Sean Hannity of Fox News that Chinese President Xi Jinping is “very tall, especially for this country, because they tend to be a little bit shorter.”
This comment, made on Thursday, May 14, during a high-stakes bilateral summit in Beijing, has caused widespread outrage due to the perpetuation of racial stereotypes.
Trump calls Chinese leader Xi Jinping “very tall” and adds Chinese people “tend to be a little shorter”
The particular comment, though framed as a compliment, has brought fresh attention to Donald Trump’s previous comments on the looks of global leaders. Xi Jinping, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches, is reportedly shorter than President Donald Trump, who is 6 feet 3 inches in height.
OK Magazine reports that President Donald Trump went on to praise President Xi Jinping as belonging to “central casting,” saying that he would be well-suited to a film depiction of a world leader. He also heaped additional praise, saying, “I think he’s a warm person, actually, but he’s all business. There’s no games.”
Critics have argued that Trump’s focus on looks has turned an important diplomatic discussion into an uneasy dialogue on stereotyping and racism.
Donald Trump’s observation of height is not new. In February, he reportedly joked about Chinese honor guards who were so perfectly matched in height that “if they put their helmets down, you could have played pool on the top of their heads.”
Additionally, Donald Trump’s failure to reach favorable conclusions on the USA’s ongoing conflicts with Iran and the much-disputed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threw a harsh light on the unnecessary banter.
Despite his admiration of the Chinese President, Donald Trump has reportedly been unable to make any significant political breakthroughs during his visit to China.
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