International News Opinons Politics

Donald Trump: ‘Unfortunate’ China Was ‘Very Very Secretive’ About Coronavirus

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.


Mexico touts border arrests amid Trump tariff threats
House of Prayer church leaders indicted for alleged $22M fraud scheme targeting military vets
ICE demands removal of Cuban national who allegedly beheaded merchant after Biden admin release
Montana GOP Rep Ryan Zinke calls assassination of Charlie Kirk a ‘watershed moment’
Trump claims FBI deployment reduced Memphis crime as city faces potential National Guard intervention
Turning Point USA announces massive public memorial service for Charlie Kirk at Arizona football stadium
Leftists Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk Assassination Are Being Fired At a Rapid Rate
Erika Kirk’s first speech since husband’s assassination sparks massive TPUSA chapter surge nationwide
‘Sleeping giant’ likely woke up for Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Chris Cuomo Said He ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ if Musk Gets Murdered Following Kirk Assassination
Video: Massive Crowds Turn Out for London Rally Following Death of Charlie Kirk With Some Estimates Hitting 1 Million
Alleged Kirk Assassin Had ‘Trans Partner’ He Was Living With – Partner Fully Cooperating With Authorities
Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin lived with transgender partner who is now cooperating with FBI: Officials
Utah leaders urge unity following Charlie Kirk’s assassination: ‘Turning Point for America’
Who is Erika Kirk?: What to know about the late Charlie Kirk’s widow from their love story to his legacy

See also  Why China wants to build a nature reserve in the South China Sea

“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.

Trump said that he felt that China was transparent at the time, but pointedly told reporters they did not escape unscathed from the virus.


Mexico touts border arrests amid Trump tariff threats
House of Prayer church leaders indicted for alleged $22M fraud scheme targeting military vets
ICE demands removal of Cuban national who allegedly beheaded merchant after Biden admin release
Montana GOP Rep Ryan Zinke calls assassination of Charlie Kirk a ‘watershed moment’
Trump claims FBI deployment reduced Memphis crime as city faces potential National Guard intervention
Turning Point USA announces massive public memorial service for Charlie Kirk at Arizona football stadium
Leftists Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk Assassination Are Being Fired At a Rapid Rate
Erika Kirk’s first speech since husband’s assassination sparks massive TPUSA chapter surge nationwide
‘Sleeping giant’ likely woke up for Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Chris Cuomo Said He ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ if Musk Gets Murdered Following Kirk Assassination
Video: Massive Crowds Turn Out for London Rally Following Death of Charlie Kirk With Some Estimates Hitting 1 Million
Alleged Kirk Assassin Had ‘Trans Partner’ He Was Living With – Partner Fully Cooperating With Authorities
Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin lived with transgender partner who is now cooperating with FBI: Officials
Utah leaders urge unity following Charlie Kirk’s assassination: ‘Turning Point for America’
Who is Erika Kirk?: What to know about the late Charlie Kirk’s widow from their love story to his legacy

See also  Anthropic backers gave $174M to Democrats before firm’s federal AI vendor list approval

“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.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter