Ling-Ling, one of two giant pandas China gave to president Nixon in 1972
Ling-Ling, one of two giant pandas China gave to president Nixon in 1972
Ling-Ling, one of two giant pandas China gave to president Nixon in 1972
Ling-Ling, one of two giant pandas China gave to president Nixon in 1972

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US

Giant pandas to embroidered saddle: Gifts given to US presidents

In 1972 China gave two pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, to Richard Nixon

The National

May 12, 2025

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Rumours are rife that US President Donald Trump's administration intends to accept a Boeing 747-8 plane as a gift from the Qatari royal family.

The story, first reported by ABC News, has caused commotion in Washington. While Qatar denied any suggestion the aircraft is a gift, it did confirm it was in talks with Washington defence officials to replace the four-decade-old Air Force One model.

Here is a look at some of the gifts given to US presidents in the past:

A painting by British prime minister Winston Churchill given to US president Franklin D Roosevelt. In 1943, after they attended a conference of Allied wartime leaders in the Moroccan city of Casablanca, Mr Churchill painted an oil-on-canvas of the Kutubiyya Mosque, in Marrakesh. He then gave the painting to Mr Roosevelt
A painting by British prime minister Winston Churchill given to US president Franklin D Roosevelt. In 1943, after they attended a conference of Allied wartime leaders in the Moroccan city of Casablanca, Mr Churchill painted an oil-on-canvas of the Kutubiyya Mosque, in Marrakesh. He then gave the painting to Mr Roosevelt
King Abdullah, then king of Saudi Arabia, gave an 18-carat sapphire and diamond jewellery set to Mary Elizabeth 'Tipper' Gore, wife of US vice president Al Gore, who was in office between 1993 and 2001
King Abdullah, then king of Saudi Arabia, gave an 18-carat sapphire and diamond jewellery set to Mary Elizabeth 'Tipper' Gore, wife of US vice president Al Gore, who was in office between 1993 and 2001
The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. This was a gift from Britain's Queen Victoria to president Rutherford B Hayes in 1880
The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. This was a gift from Britain's Queen Victoria to president Rutherford B Hayes in 1880
A richly embroidered saddle given to US president Ronald Reagan by Chadli Bendjedid, president of Algeria, in 1985. Because of his love for riding, Mr Reagan received dozens of saddles from the general public and foreign leaders
A richly embroidered saddle given to US president Ronald Reagan by Chadli Bendjedid, president of Algeria, in 1985. Because of his love for riding, Mr Reagan received dozens of saddles from the general public and foreign leaders
Great Order of the Nile given to US president Jimmy Carter by Egypt's president Anwar Sadat in 1979. Mr Carter helped negotiate peace between Egypt and Israel after 31 years of hostilities
Great Order of the Nile given to US president Jimmy Carter by Egypt's president Anwar Sadat in 1979. Mr Carter helped negotiate peace between Egypt and Israel after 31 years of hostilities
Ling-Ling, one of two giant pandas China given to US president Richard Nixon in 1972. Mr Nixon visited China that year, marking a thawing in US-China relations
Ling-Ling, one of two giant pandas China given to US president Richard Nixon in 1972. Mr Nixon visited China that year, marking a thawing in US-China relations
A 1st or 2nd-century Roman water or wine vessel given to US president Gerald Ford by Israeli defence minister Shimon Peres
A 1st or 2nd-century Roman water or wine vessel given to US president Gerald Ford by Israeli defence minister Shimon Peres

On Women's Day
On Women's Day
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