One person was arrested and a Secret Service agent was reportedly injured during an incident involving a motorcade with Chinese officials outside the White House on Wednesday.
The Secret Service told NBC News that a protester crossed police barricades Wednesday afternoon and attempted to interfere with a departing motorcade of Chinese officials leaving the White House after trade negotiations with Robert Lighthizer
Robert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerWhiskey, workers and friends caught in the trade dispute crossfire GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be 'huge mistake' Pelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 MORE, the Trump administration's top trade negotiator.
Initial reports on Twitter claimed that an individual was struck by a vehicle in the procession, but the Secret Service reported to NBC News that one officer was injured in an alleged assault by the protester.
Sources say Chinese motorcade was involved in the incident and @secretservice officer was injured but not struck by a vehicle pic.twitter.com/AhQAahadkn
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) January 30, 2019
The individual was reportedly arrested, while the Secret Service agent was transferred to a local hospital for treatment.
DC fire reports one male injured in the leg and transported to nearby hospital. No info on the vehicle involved. @cgtnamerica https://t.co/HfKxIvBKVl
— Jessica Stone (@JessicaStoneTV) January 30, 2019
Photos of the scene showed streets blocked off by D.C. police and other emergency response vehicles.
Police scene outside White House. Blocked streets more TK @cgtnamerica pic.twitter.com/E3OfY9n0Hi
— Jessica Stone (@JessicaStoneTV) January 30, 2019
The motorcade that departed the White House on Wednesday contained a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He, who has led Chinese trade negotiations in recent weeks as the U.S. and China attempt to resolve their trade dispute.
Chinese officials are expected to return to the White House tomorrow for another session of talks.
Last month, the president announced that the U.S. would hold off on a proposed tariff hike to 25 percent on Chinese goods in the hopes of reaching a deal with the Chinese government in the coming months.
