Billionaire Gristedes founder John Catsimatidis claims he's trying to get China ... trends now
Billionaire John Catsimatidis claims he is trying to get China to loan panda bears to New York City - in a move that could bring 'tens of millions of dollars' to the Big Apple.
The Gristedes founder and radio host, 75, told DailyMail.com that the move also shows a 'desire to have peace in the world' between the United States and China, in a deal that he dubbed 'peace through pandas'.
'The city really needs it,' he added, claiming that the pandas would 'rival the Statue of Liberty' as a New York City landmark and could help fill the struggling city's coffers.
It comes after beloved pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiand and Xiao Qi Ji were FedExed back to China from Washington earlier this month, with Catsimatidis quipping: 'They FedExed them away, I'll FedEx them back!'
Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji hangs upside down from a tree in its enclosure at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, on the final day in the enclosure before it was shipped back to China on November 7
An airplane transporting giant pandas at the Dulles International Airport in Dulles
Billionaire John Catsimatidis said he is brokering a deal to bring pandas to NYC, claiming the attraction could 'rival the Statue of Liberty' and bring tens of millions in tourism money
The Chinese-owned animals have been seen as a diplomatic tool for years, with Chinese President Xi saying last week that they are 'envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.'
Catsimatidis said he is in discussions with Chinese officials to bring the pandas back to New York, who he claims 'like the idea'.
He is set to announce the move in a press conference later this afternoon, and tonight will host 3,000 people at Carnegie Hall, where he will speak alongside the Chinese ambassador to the US.
A commission to transport the pandas to the US will also be set up in the weeks after
