Republican Senator Ted Budd on 24 September 2026 urged President Donald Trump to raise religious freedom and the detention of Americans in China during his upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping this week, naming church leaders and two academics whose cases he said remain unresolved. The appeal came through Senate remarks prepared ahead of the high-stakes bilateral summit at the White House.

What Budd Asked Trump to Raise

In his prepared Senate remarks, Budd argued that protection of Americans abroad must be a priority in US-China talks. He called for a firm American stance on what he described as China's treatment of religious groups and individuals held in detention.

'When President Xi enters the White House later this week, I hope discussions between our two nations include America's most fundamental values and responsibilities upfront: the protection of American citizens abroad and reiterating a zero-tolerance for violating the God-given right to religious freedom,' Budd said.

The Case That Became a Template

Budd pointed to the case of Zion Church pastor Ezra Jin as a model for why direct presidential engagement with Xi can yield results. According to Budd, Trump raised Jin's case at a US-China summit in May, and the pastor was released two months later and returned to the United States. Budd argued that outcome should not mark the end of Washington's efforts, but rather set a precedent for other cases still unresolved.

Academics Named in Bipartisan Push

The senator also named Dr Youlin Chen and Min Zin, whom he described as American academics currently held in China. Notably, Budd said he and Democratic Senator Ed Markey had jointly worked on their cases — a rare bipartisan alignment on a China-related human rights issue.

'I want to highlight the bipartisan effort Senator Markey and I have taken to bring home both Dr Youlin Chen and Mr Min Zin,' Budd said. He has also reportedly sought sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for religious freedom violations.

Broader Agenda: Drugs, Russia, Iran

Budd's appeal to Trump extended beyond detainee cases. He urged the president to confront Xi over illicit drugs and China's relationships with Russia and Iran — issues he framed as part of a wider reckoning over the direction of US-China relations. He argued that trade and security negotiations should not come at the cost of setting aside fundamental rights disagreements.

Congressional Pressure Around the Trump-Xi Meeting

Budd's intervention is one of several from Capitol Hill ahead of the planned summit. Other lawmakers have reportedly urged action on advanced AI chips, AI safety dialogue, and more reliable Chinese purchases of American agricultural products. This comes amid a broader congressional effort to shape the White House's negotiating posture with Beijing, as US-China relations navigate competing pressures on trade, technology, and security. The outcome of the Xi White House visit is expected to set the tone for bilateral engagement through the remainder of the year.