Trump tears down East Wing for $300M ballroom ahead of high-stakes China meeting
In a week marked by significant diplomatic engagements and a controversial domestic project, President Donald Trump began his agenda by meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This meeting highlighted the ongoing trilateral AUKUS agreement, which aims to bolster Australia’s defense capabilities in the face of growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump emphasized his desire to expedite the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, underlining the urgency of the U.S. commitment to enhance Australia’s submarine fleet. The AUKUS pact, which includes the sale of up to five Virginia-class submarines, is set to deliver these vessels by 2032, but Trump expressed optimism about accelerating the process. Despite the agreement’s strategic importance, he downplayed the necessity of it, asserting that the U.S. military’s strength would deter any potential threats from China.
Amidst these international discussions, Trump also announced the commencement of a new ballroom at the White House, a project that has sparked considerable backlash among Democrats. Initially estimated at $200 million, the cost has ballooned to $300 million, with funding sourced entirely from private donations. Trump touted this initiative as fulfilling a long-held presidential dream, stating it would be a venue for grand state events for generations to come. However, the demolition of the historic East Wing, which has served as the official entrance and space for the First Lady, has raised concerns about the preservation of White House history and architecture. Critics argue that the project diverts attention and resources from pressing national issues, including the ongoing trade tensions with China, which Trump is navigating as he prepares for an upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
As Trump embarks on his trip to Asia, which includes stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, he faces the challenge of balancing diplomatic relations with aggressive trade policies. Following China’s recent announcement of export controls on rare-earth magnets—critical components in various high-tech and military applications—Trump has threatened to impose a sweeping 100% tariff on all Chinese goods starting November 1. Despite these tensions, Trump has expressed a desire to maintain a positive relationship with Xi, indicating that he believes a trade deal can still be reached. This complex landscape of international diplomacy, domestic projects, and economic strategies illustrates the multifaceted approach Trump is taking as he navigates both his presidency and his upcoming engagements on the global stage.
Related articles:
– Link 1
– Link 2
President
Donald Trump
kicked off the week meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and closed out the week jetsetting to Asia. And at home, the White House launched constructing its new ballroom — much to the ire of many Democrats.
Trump said construction started Monday and that the project would be funded privately. The project is estimated to cost $300 million, up from the $200 million estimate first provided in July when the project was unveiled.
“For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!” Trump said in a social media post. “The
White House
Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!”
US TO EXPEDITE NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBS TO AUSTRALIA THAT WILL SIT NEAR CHINA’S DOORSTEP
Still, the project has faced criticism as the White House’s historic East Wing was completely demolished. The wing has served as the official entrance to the White House and is designated as space for the first lady.
On Monday, Trump signaled he wants to expedite outfitting Australia with nuclear submarines under the trilateral agreement between the U.S., Australia and the U.K. that seeks to enhance Australia’s submarine force to deter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.
The agreement, known as AUKUS, stipulates the U.S. will sell up to five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia that are scheduled for delivery as soon as 2032. The deal also outlines that Australia and the U.K. will work to build additional attack submarines for Australia’s fleet.
However, Trump told reporters that he is looking at equipping
Australia with the submarines
soon, when asked if he was interested in speeding up the process.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES MEETING WITH XI JINPING AT SOUTH KOREA APEC SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONTH
“Well we are doing that, yeah … we have them moving very, very quickly,” Trump told reporters Monday.
However, Trump also said that he didn’t believe the deal was necessary to undermine China.
“I don’t think we’re going to need it,” Trump said about the trilateral agreement. “I think we’ll be just fine with China. China doesn’t want to do that. First of all, the United States is the strongest military power in the world by far. It’s not even close, not even close. We have the best equipment. We have the best of everything, and nobody’s going to mess with that. And I don’t see that at all with President Xi.”
Meanwhile, Trump departed for Asia Friday, as he is slated to meet with Xi during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
The meeting comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, which escalated when Beijing announced Oct. 9 it would impose export controls on rare-earth magnets.
Rare earth magnets are used in products ranging from electric cars to F-35 fighter jets
.
As a result, Trump said the U.S. would impose a new 100% tariff on all Chinese goods, which is slated to take effect Nov. 1.
However, Trump has sought to neutralize tension, and has regularly spoken highly of his relationship with Xi in recent weeks. He has said he believes a deal will be reached between the two countries.
TRUMP AND PUTIN’S RELATIONSHIP TURNS SOUR AS PRESIDENT PUSHES FOR RESOLUTION WITH UKRAINE
“I think we are going to come out very well, and everyone’s going to be very happy,” Trump said Thursday.
Trump and Xi have not met in person since Trump took office in January. Their last meeting took place in June 2019 in Japan.
Trump will also visit Malaysia, Japan and South Korea as part of the trip.
Trump also met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte Wednesday, just after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and after calling off a meeting with Russian President
Vladimir Putin.
Trump said that he didn’t want a “wasted meeting” with Putin in Hungary, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that he didn’t see enough progress toward peace from Russia.
“We canceled the meeting with President Putin,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office with Rutte Wednesday. “It just, it didn’t feel right to me. It didn’t feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I canceled it. But we’ll do it in the future.”
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
