President Donald Trump on Saturday at the White House expressed his disappointment that China was dishonest and slow to alert the world about the seriousness of the coronavirus.
“I have great respect for China, I like China, I think the people of China are incredible. I have a tremendous relationship with President Xi. I wish they could have told us earlier about what was going on inside,” Trump said.
The president said that his federal doctors could have used the extra time to prepare for the virus.
“China was secretive OK?” Trump said. “Very, very secretive, and that’s unfortunate.”
Trump said that a two or three month jump on the virus would have been helpful.
LeBron James Announces He’s Headed to a New Team – One Peculiar Line from His Explanation Stands Out
‘Allahu Akbar!’ Jewish and Asian Victims Stabbed by Man Shouting Islamic Battle Cry in Mamdani’s NYC
Bombshell memo shows Biden planned to leave Trump with even more massive immigration crisis
‘McCarthy trials’: Hasan Piker, far-left figures erupt over subpoenas in $39M Singham probe
Watch: Boy, 9, Has Slick Message for Bank Robber He Rescued His Nana From
Watch: Legendary ‘Journey’ Band Member, Songwriter Tells Trump-Hating Bruce Springsteen to ‘Shut Up’
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed accused Trump of inciting terrorism over Whitmer kidnapping plot
WATCH: Scalise serves up Olive Garden reality check for Democrats in voter ID fight
Illinois worker spent over six hours trapped in gas station sign too tall for fire truck ladders to reach
Purported Nancy Guthrie note includes unusual demand that breaks basic ransom rule: retired FBI negotiator
Rep. Jimmy Gomez’s toughest opponent may be an ethics investigation
Secret Service offers glimpse into WHCA Dinner security after alleged Trump assassination attempt
French Modeling Scout with Ties to Epstein Found Dead Near Paris
Boasberg delivers fresh immigration setback to Trump in free-speech clash
‘So Devastated’: Hollywood Stars Mourn Death of 18-Year-Old Actress
“They were having a big problem and they knew it, and I wish they could have given us an advance warning,” Trump said.
The president was questioned about his message on Twitter in January praising President Xi Jinping and his transparency.
China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020
Trump said that he felt that China was transparent at the time, but pointedly told reporters they did not escape unscathed from the virus.
LeBron James Announces He’s Headed to a New Team – One Peculiar Line from His Explanation Stands Out
‘Allahu Akbar!’ Jewish and Asian Victims Stabbed by Man Shouting Islamic Battle Cry in Mamdani’s NYC
Bombshell memo shows Biden planned to leave Trump with even more massive immigration crisis
‘McCarthy trials’: Hasan Piker, far-left figures erupt over subpoenas in $39M Singham probe
Watch: Boy, 9, Has Slick Message for Bank Robber He Rescued His Nana From
Watch: Legendary ‘Journey’ Band Member, Songwriter Tells Trump-Hating Bruce Springsteen to ‘Shut Up’
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed accused Trump of inciting terrorism over Whitmer kidnapping plot
WATCH: Scalise serves up Olive Garden reality check for Democrats in voter ID fight
Illinois worker spent over six hours trapped in gas station sign too tall for fire truck ladders to reach
Purported Nancy Guthrie note includes unusual demand that breaks basic ransom rule: retired FBI negotiator
Rep. Jimmy Gomez’s toughest opponent may be an ethics investigation
Secret Service offers glimpse into WHCA Dinner security after alleged Trump assassination attempt
French Modeling Scout with Ties to Epstein Found Dead Near Paris
Boasberg delivers fresh immigration setback to Trump in free-speech clash
‘So Devastated’: Hollywood Stars Mourn Death of 18-Year-Old Actress
“China has lost thousands and thousands of people,” Trump said. “China has gone through hell over this. They’ve gone through hell.”
Trump repeated that President Xi was “a friend” but wishes they would have been more vocal about the problem.
“I just wished they could have told us earlier,” Trump said.
Trump has sent a mixed message on China, frequently praising President Xi’s efforts to battle the coronavirus, but also describing it as the “Chinese virus” to remind the American public that it originated in China.
On February 13, Trump praised Xi as “extremely capable” for handling the crisis but admitted that “they want to put the best face on it.”
“You wouldn’t want to run out to the world and go crazy and start saying whatever it is, because you don’t want to create a panic,” he said during an interview with Geraldo Rivera.
The president told reporters on Saturday that he first took the coronavirus threat more seriously when he announced the travel bans on China on January 31.
Story cited here.
