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.
Federal court blocks Newsom’s bid to shackle ICE in Trump immigration win
Dem senator likens ICE operations in American streets to oppressive British regime during Revolutionary War
Idaho murders: New book on Kohberger reveals previously unseen evidence, claims sheath could be inadmissible
Trump Rips SCOTUS a New One: Dems Don’t Need to Add Justices Because the Court Is ‘Already Packed’ for Them
Marine veteran allegedly gunned down by husband in attack outside home, police say
Biden Loves to Say His WH Bid Was Sparked by Charlottesville Rally, Which DOJ Says the SPLC Helped Plan
Trump claims Iran ‘starving for cash,’ ‘collapsing financially’ after extending ceasefire
EXCLUSIVE: Planned Parenthood set for massive taxpayer windfall if Senate fails to act
China decries Japanese prime minister for World War II shrine support
Anthropic’s moral compass architect suggested AI overcorrection could address historical injustices
Supreme Court liberals side with Clarence Thomas on Taliban suicide bomber lawsuit, 3 others dissent
ActBlue employees pleaded the Fifth 146 times in depositions. Here’s what they didn’t want to answer
Myrtle Beach man with lengthy arrest record charged with stabbing two people in popular beach destination
Sheriff leading Nancy Guthrie probe admits quitting past police job to dodge discipline
Iran Opens Fire on Three Ships in Strait of Hormuz, Seizes Two of Them
“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.
Federal court blocks Newsom’s bid to shackle ICE in Trump immigration win
Dem senator likens ICE operations in American streets to oppressive British regime during Revolutionary War
Idaho murders: New book on Kohberger reveals previously unseen evidence, claims sheath could be inadmissible
Trump Rips SCOTUS a New One: Dems Don’t Need to Add Justices Because the Court Is ‘Already Packed’ for Them
Marine veteran allegedly gunned down by husband in attack outside home, police say
Biden Loves to Say His WH Bid Was Sparked by Charlottesville Rally, Which DOJ Says the SPLC Helped Plan
Trump claims Iran ‘starving for cash,’ ‘collapsing financially’ after extending ceasefire
EXCLUSIVE: Planned Parenthood set for massive taxpayer windfall if Senate fails to act
China decries Japanese prime minister for World War II shrine support
Anthropic’s moral compass architect suggested AI overcorrection could address historical injustices
Supreme Court liberals side with Clarence Thomas on Taliban suicide bomber lawsuit, 3 others dissent
ActBlue employees pleaded the Fifth 146 times in depositions. Here’s what they didn’t want to answer
Myrtle Beach man with lengthy arrest record charged with stabbing two people in popular beach destination
Sheriff leading Nancy Guthrie probe admits quitting past police job to dodge discipline
Iran Opens Fire on Three Ships in Strait of Hormuz, Seizes Two of Them
“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.
