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.
After Telling Them to Leave, Hochul Begs New Yorkers Who Fled to FL: Please Come Back – And Drag Your Friends Back, Too – To Pay Our High Taxes
Revealed: Biden Admin Handed ‘Sweetheart Settlement’ to Iranian Front Group on Final Days in Office
Cuban exiles in Miami say ‘this is the end’ for communism as island teeters on collapse
Advantages and drawbacks emerge from Trump-backed US data center expansion
Far-left firebrand dodges questions over hiring bodyguard with criminal history
Iran war’s effect on interest remains a looming unknown
The reality TV kids are not alright
Man accused of shooting father in face with crossbow captured after snowy manhunt
Late Breaking: Deadly Chaos in NYC as SUV Driven by Man, 49, Plows Into Vehicles and Sends People Literally Flying
Feds charge 3 in $2.5b scheme to smuggle us AI tech to China using dummy servers
Missing University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey found dead in Barcelona
Indiana University philanthropy group allegedly led fundraising training with Hamas-linked ‘sham charity’
ALERT: James Comey Subpoenaed by DOJ as ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Probe Into Political Lawfare Gains Momentum
NYC Teen Arrested in Horrific Attack on Mother of Three: ‘He Deserves Exactly What Is Coming to Him’
Developing: It Appears Joe Biden Kept Tribute to Child Rapist in His Oval Office – How It Got There Makes It Worse
“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.
After Telling Them to Leave, Hochul Begs New Yorkers Who Fled to FL: Please Come Back – And Drag Your Friends Back, Too – To Pay Our High Taxes
Revealed: Biden Admin Handed ‘Sweetheart Settlement’ to Iranian Front Group on Final Days in Office
Cuban exiles in Miami say ‘this is the end’ for communism as island teeters on collapse
Advantages and drawbacks emerge from Trump-backed US data center expansion
Far-left firebrand dodges questions over hiring bodyguard with criminal history
Iran war’s effect on interest remains a looming unknown
The reality TV kids are not alright
Man accused of shooting father in face with crossbow captured after snowy manhunt
Late Breaking: Deadly Chaos in NYC as SUV Driven by Man, 49, Plows Into Vehicles and Sends People Literally Flying
Feds charge 3 in $2.5b scheme to smuggle us AI tech to China using dummy servers
Missing University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey found dead in Barcelona
Indiana University philanthropy group allegedly led fundraising training with Hamas-linked ‘sham charity’
ALERT: James Comey Subpoenaed by DOJ as ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Probe Into Political Lawfare Gains Momentum
NYC Teen Arrested in Horrific Attack on Mother of Three: ‘He Deserves Exactly What Is Coming to Him’
Developing: It Appears Joe Biden Kept Tribute to Child Rapist in His Oval Office – How It Got There Makes It Worse
“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.
