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.
Puerto Rico governor signs law recognizing unborn babies as human beings
Over 700 arrested amid major gang and drug crackdown in Louisiana
Sanctuary policies let alleged child predator roam free until DHS made Portland, Oregon, airport arrest
Over 1.5 million illegal aliens with deportation orders in US, ICE director reveals
Arizona sheriff blocking FBI from key evidence in escalating Guthrie case: source
Obama Judge Just Knowingly Released 4 Violent Illegals – 1 Ethiopian Pedophile and 3 Cuban Murderers, According to ICE – Onto US Streets
Canadian Police Double Down on Respecting Trans Killer’s Gender Identity, Will Use Preferred Pronouns
Newsom stop in key presidential primary state sparks more 2028 speculation
‘Proudly Fixing This Stupid Feature’: Obama-Era Regulation Gets Axed by Trump Admin
College Football Star Charged with Heinous Crime Just Days After Engagement Goes Public
Tim Walz demands federal government ‘pay for what they broke’ after Homan announces Minnesota drawdown
Nielsen Data Appears to Show Millions of People Turning Off Bad Bunny’s All-Spanish Halftime Show
Americans could pay to bring back alleged members of ‘foreign terrorist cartel’ to US
America Is NATO: Retired British Officer Warns Diminished U.K. Military ‘Would Be Out of Ammo in Days’ in Potential War
John Fetterman says he refuses to engage in ‘sexist garbage’
“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.
Puerto Rico governor signs law recognizing unborn babies as human beings
Over 700 arrested amid major gang and drug crackdown in Louisiana
Sanctuary policies let alleged child predator roam free until DHS made Portland, Oregon, airport arrest
Over 1.5 million illegal aliens with deportation orders in US, ICE director reveals
Arizona sheriff blocking FBI from key evidence in escalating Guthrie case: source
Obama Judge Just Knowingly Released 4 Violent Illegals – 1 Ethiopian Pedophile and 3 Cuban Murderers, According to ICE – Onto US Streets
Canadian Police Double Down on Respecting Trans Killer’s Gender Identity, Will Use Preferred Pronouns
Newsom stop in key presidential primary state sparks more 2028 speculation
‘Proudly Fixing This Stupid Feature’: Obama-Era Regulation Gets Axed by Trump Admin
College Football Star Charged with Heinous Crime Just Days After Engagement Goes Public
Tim Walz demands federal government ‘pay for what they broke’ after Homan announces Minnesota drawdown
Nielsen Data Appears to Show Millions of People Turning Off Bad Bunny’s All-Spanish Halftime Show
Americans could pay to bring back alleged members of ‘foreign terrorist cartel’ to US
America Is NATO: Retired British Officer Warns Diminished U.K. Military ‘Would Be Out of Ammo in Days’ in Potential War
John Fetterman says he refuses to engage in ‘sexist garbage’
“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.
