Less than a week into her role as White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia has stirred controversy with remarks about China's sanitation standards. In an interview aired on Thursday, the 41-year-old said China lacked "proper toilets," a comment that quickly drew attention given the delicate state of US-China relations.
Zacharia, who previously lived in China, was recalling the mood in 2016, when many believed the United States was in decline and China was poised to overtake it. "We were all being told Hillary (Clinton) was going to win. The golden days or the glory days of America were over. That China was on the horizon," she told right-wing influencer Jack Posobiec. "I remember this very distinctly, having just come from China, thinking, 'How is China the next country on the horizon? They don't even have proper toilets.'"
There was no immediate response from Chinese authorities. The comment comes as President Donald Trump has repeatedly touted his "great relationship" with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During a summit in Washington in September, the two leaders discussed artificial intelligence, trade, and the stalled war in Iran, and agreed to meet again later this year.
Legal credentials under scrutiny
Zacharia's remarks are not the only source of controversy. She is already facing questions about her legal background. In an earlier appearance, she gave an inconclusive answer when asked where she had passed the bar exam, a requirement to practice law in the United States. On Thursday, she said she had registered to take the exam but was "distracted and overwhelmed" by plans to move with her husband to China.
Zacharia has described herself as a lawyer and listed herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative non-profit. She also said she had worked at a law firm in Beijing. Her professional history has drawn scrutiny from critics who question her qualifications for the high-profile role.
Zacharia held her first White House press briefing on Tuesday, but only took questions from three journalists. She succeeded Karoline Leavitt, a loyal Trump supporter and often combative spokesperson, who stepped down in August to care for her young children.
The episode highlights the challenges facing the new press secretary as she navigates a role that demands both credibility and composure. Her comments about China, made in a casual interview, could complicate the administration's messaging on a key geopolitical rival.
European observers will note that such remarks, while domestic in origin, have implications for transatlantic relations. The EU has been hardening its stance on China, with Berlin shifting its position, and any escalation in US-China rhetoric could affect European trade and security interests. The bloc is also confronting energy prices and trade issues in Brussels, where China remains a central topic.
As the White House seeks to project strength on the global stage, the press secretary's words carry weight. Whether her toilet comment will have lasting diplomatic consequences remains to be seen, but it has already added another layer of scrutiny to her brief tenure.
