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.
BREAKING: Trump Steps Into Iran Crisis With Direct Message to Protesters: ‘Help is on the Way’
Breaking: Positive Inflation Report Delivers Economic Win for Trump
Federal agents deploy tear gas, rubber bullets on protesters outside Minneapolis federal building
House GOP leader blasts trans athletes in girls’ sports as ‘biggest form of bullying’
Florida sheriff Grady Judd fires off warning to gangsters after ‘Sex, Money, Murder’ kingpin taken down
Ex-state education official launches bid for Wyoming’s lone US House seat
Musk to Seek Full Custody After His Child’s Mother, a Former Conservative Influencer, Backs Gender Transition
Trump Announces His First Move After ‘Locked and Loaded’ Warning Against Iran
Elizabeth Warren says Trump called her after speech criticizing his record on costs
Riley Gaines to interview alleged victim in West Virginia v. B.P.J.
Trump dealt GOP blows over Powell inquiry amid rising tensions with Congress
Bill Clinton scheduled to appear before Oversight Committee as contempt of Congress threat looms
New York City unions have history of supporting Maduro regime
Mississippi man accused of killing six in shooting spree pleads not guilty
Rep Ro Khanna demands prosecution of ICE agent in Minneapolis fatal shooting
“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.
BREAKING: Trump Steps Into Iran Crisis With Direct Message to Protesters: ‘Help is on the Way’
Breaking: Positive Inflation Report Delivers Economic Win for Trump
Federal agents deploy tear gas, rubber bullets on protesters outside Minneapolis federal building
House GOP leader blasts trans athletes in girls’ sports as ‘biggest form of bullying’
Florida sheriff Grady Judd fires off warning to gangsters after ‘Sex, Money, Murder’ kingpin taken down
Ex-state education official launches bid for Wyoming’s lone US House seat
Musk to Seek Full Custody After His Child’s Mother, a Former Conservative Influencer, Backs Gender Transition
Trump Announces His First Move After ‘Locked and Loaded’ Warning Against Iran
Elizabeth Warren says Trump called her after speech criticizing his record on costs
Riley Gaines to interview alleged victim in West Virginia v. B.P.J.
Trump dealt GOP blows over Powell inquiry amid rising tensions with Congress
Bill Clinton scheduled to appear before Oversight Committee as contempt of Congress threat looms
New York City unions have history of supporting Maduro regime
Mississippi man accused of killing six in shooting spree pleads not guilty
Rep Ro Khanna demands prosecution of ICE agent in Minneapolis fatal shooting
“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.
