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.
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources
Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’
AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’
RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’
‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen
Massachusetts Governor Signs New Law Blocking ICE Access to Several Locations
DSA Governor Candidate Hires OnlyFans Model as Deputy Campaign Manager
Tennessee Candidate Arrested After Allegedly Shooting Down Flock Cameras
University of Michigan Goes Full Participation Trophy, Will Hide Grades for Student ‘Mental Health’
Florida man accused of killing nurse mom who helped him despite repeated arrests for threatening her: sheriff
Miss North Carolina USA pageant producers fire back after winner says she lost title over faith
Welcome to Y’all Street: America’s Newest Stock Exchange Opens in Texas
“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.
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources
Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’
AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’
RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’
‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen
Massachusetts Governor Signs New Law Blocking ICE Access to Several Locations
DSA Governor Candidate Hires OnlyFans Model as Deputy Campaign Manager
Tennessee Candidate Arrested After Allegedly Shooting Down Flock Cameras
University of Michigan Goes Full Participation Trophy, Will Hide Grades for Student ‘Mental Health’
Florida man accused of killing nurse mom who helped him despite repeated arrests for threatening her: sheriff
Miss North Carolina USA pageant producers fire back after winner says she lost title over faith
Welcome to Y’all Street: America’s Newest Stock Exchange Opens in Texas
“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.
