White House East Room Too Small for Xi Meeting, Trump Vows Ballroom

At a Republican gathering in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, President Donald Trump warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping will be on a U.S. visit within the next two weeks, though he withheld any specifics about timing or agenda.

Trump seized the opportunity to discuss the limitations of the White House’s East Room, describing it as a “very small” space that has served for many years but can seat only about 88 guests—far too few for a high‑profile diplomatic encounter.

He lamented that the anticipated new ballroom, intended to host larger delegations, remains incomplete. Trump assured the audience that a world‑class ballroom will be finished within roughly a year, making it one of the finest venues globally.

The president also said the Supreme Court gave the green light for the construction, which includes a military‑style security wing featuring drones, missiles and bullet‑proof glass. According to Trump, the Department of Defense has wanted such a facility for a century, and presidents over the past 150 years have supported it.

He thanked the chief justice for the decision and said the project is advancing under budget and ahead of schedule, though no total cost figure was provided.

In the same speech, Trump defended his tariff policy, claiming that high duties on imported goods are driving multinational corporations to set up factories in America. He cited $19.2 trillion in new investment and urged foreign car manufacturers to produce their vehicles on U.S. soil.