US President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump and wife Lara will accompany him on the May 14-15 state visit to China. A Trump Organisation spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday that Eric is attending in a personal capacity. The trip includes a summit with Xi Jinping, delayed due to the Iran conflict.
Trump Organisation spokeswoman Kimberly Benza said on Tuesday: “Eric and Lara Trump are proud to accompany the president on his state visit.” She added: “Eric is deeply proud of his father and the accomplishments of this term, and is attending in a personal capacity as a supportive son."
Eric manages his father's business empire, a move that could raise concerns in Washington given the family's role in handling the US president's personal wealth and dealings. Two sources had earlier said Trump family members, including Eric, were considering joining the highly anticipated May 14-15 visit to contribute to US-China business relations.
Planning for the Trump-Xi summit has accelerated, including a possible visit to Beijing's Temple of Heaven and a military parade, according to several people familiar with the process. Arrangements build on a US working-level team that travelled to Beijing and a Chinese team to Washington in early March, shortly before the White House rescheduled the summit citing the war.
A diplomatic source said: “All I can say is President Trump’s decision to delay had been properly communicated to Beijing.” One person knowledgeable about planning details remarked: “This will be so interesting. You have the most predictable president and the least predictable president. God knows what will come out.”
