President Donald Trump has once again turned to a bald eagle statue as a symbolic gift for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, following a pattern of using the national bird as a diplomatic gesture during his second term, a tradition that dates back to President Ronald Reagan.

According to a New York Times report, the statue was presented to President Xi during a recent state visit. The gesture is part of a broader pattern in which Trump has consistently chosen statues of the bald eagle—America’s national bird—on diplomatic occasions throughout his second term. This choice echoes a longstanding practice in U.S. foreign diplomacy, where symbolic gifts are used to convey respect and reinforce bilateral ties.

The bald eagle, emblematic of freedom, strength, and national identity, carries deep symbolic resonance. By gifting such a statue, the United States signals continuity and tradition in its diplomatic outreach, while also offering a tangible representation of American values. The New York Times noted that President Ronald Reagan also favored bald eagle statues for similar purposes, underscoring the enduring nature of this symbolic practice.

Looking ahead, the use of the bald eagle statue may set a tone for future exchanges between Washington and Beijing. Whether this gesture will influence substantive policy discussions remains to be seen, but it demonstrates the enduring role of symbolic diplomacy in shaping U.S.–China relations.