Ding dong over Cameron's 'British' ping pong gift to Obama that was made in China

It was meant as a thoughtful gift, fondly recalling the moment when David Cameron and Barack Obama teamed up for a spot of table tennis doubles last year. But the ping-pong table given to the President as a proud example of British manufacturing this week was, in fact, made in China. The Dunlop table handed over during Mr Cameron's official visit to the U.S. has been custom finished with a Union flag at one end, and the Stars and Stripes at the other. It comes complete with bats bearing the two nations' flags and is painted with the legend 'Presented to President Obama by Prime Minister David Cameron, March 2012'. Souvenir: The customised Dunlop table tennis table given to the Obamas by the Camerons as a reminder of a game the two leaders played on the President's visit to the UK last year Doubles: President Obama and David Cameron play table tennis with students during a visit to the Globe Academy in London last May A statement from Number 10 reads: 'The gift was selected as something that the whole Obama family could enjoy and to commemorate President Obama’s state visit to the UK last May, when the President and Prime Minister teamed up to play pupils at table tennis at the Globe Academy school in south London.'

'Founded in 1886, Dunlop is a truly British company which operates in over 70 countries.

'It is the most successful sports brand of the 20th century and a fitting gift for the occasion as we approach the London 2012 Olympics.'

But, according to the Sunday Mirror, though the £800 EVO 8000 was designed and finished in Britain, sports retailers confirm it rolled off the factory line in China. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Next Even the President is Irish for a day! Barack O'Bama joins... Share this article Share Meanwhile, the blue silk scarf given to Michelle Obama may be steeped in British tradition, with Number 10 saying the pattern was'inspired by elegant Victorian wallpapers' - but it was actually made in Italy.

Glasgow's Jonathan Saunders designed the scarf, which goes for £289 at Harrods. Mr Obama made sure the Camerons will take home a little taste of America, presenting them with a custom-designed speciality barbeque grill that is both steeped in symbolism and kitted out with capabilities that a gourmet chef would appreciate. He chose the gift as a way to commemorate the time that he and Mr Cameron spent grilling together on his visit to Downing Street last year, where the two men served up burgers, sausages, and Kentish lamb chops.

Fully equipped: President Obama presented Prime Minister Cameron with a Engelbrecht Grills & Cookers grill, from the company's 1000 Braten series, prices of which start at $1,895 for the most basic model

On that visit last May, the two men stood behind table-top grills and served 150 military servicemen and women who attended the casual affair. The new barbeque makes their prior grilling equipment look puny by comparison. It was made by a company made in Mr Obama's home state of Illinois called Engelbrecht Grills & Cookers. This particular grill comes from the company's 1000 Braten series, prices of which start at $1,895 (£1,196) for the most basic model, not to mention the custom additions that were added to Mr Cameron's. Symbolising the two countries' 'special relationship', the grill has a plaque engraved with 'friendship flags' on the utility shelf. In addition to the fact that the company is based in Illinois and has a charming story - it was started by a welder in his garage - the company is also known for its dedication to environmentally friendly practices, according to the White House press statement.

Time amongst friends: Compared to the grills the heads of state used last year, Mr Obama's gift is much more intense The Engelbrecht website declares that Braten grills cater to a chef's primal desires. 'We all love our food cooked over a wood fire (it's our caveman instincts) - the problem is most grills can't take the head of burning wood,' the website reads. That isn't a problem for the Braten, however, as it can sustain heat of up to 1000 degrees. 'This would be brutal for most grills, as these temperatures can deform or melt steel,' Englebrecht says. Though the grill is not the one that average Americans use to fry up dinner for the family, the cost was not a burden on them either as the company donated the grill to the State Department.

Also involved: Shown here at the London event in 2011, Mrs Obama and Mrs Cameron also exchanged gifts this year. In keeping with the culinary theme, Mrs Obama gave Mrs Cameron a pot of honey

To make sure that Mr and Mrs Cameron are not outdone by the grill itself, the President also included custom chef jackets with their names embroidered on each along with the seal of the President.

In keeping with the culinary tone of their gifts, Mrs Obama gave Mrs Cameron a crystal jar of honey collected from the White House beehives and had it engraved with 'White House Honey'.

Rather than give the three Cameron children a sample of American candy - as that would not fit with Mrs Obama's healthy eating platform - they were each given customised bean bag chairs which have the seal of the President and their names stitched on.

As for the Obama children, Malia and Sasha, they made out with a set of classic Penguin books, and though the titles were not announced, they are said to be 'British classics suitable for their age and in customised sleeves'.