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.
Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in Lindsey Graham’s death as death certificate remains pending
Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death
From ‘disgrace’ to ‘family’: Trump’s remarkable journey with Lindsey Graham
Some Somali Kids Allegedly Spent Their July 4 Weekend Shooting People
Dr. Phil Speaks Out Against Anti-Christian Persecution
Here’s Why Judge Blocked Blue State’s Gun Ban
Father, son killed in plane crash on way home from baseball game
Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
Huckabee: Banner at Supreme Leader’s Funeral Exposes the Real Iran
Trump Spoke to Lindsay Graham Shortly Before His Death, Offers Glowing Praise for Late Republican
Report: Hours After Lindsay Graham’s Death, Nancy Mace Is Eyeing His Senate Seat
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator who rose from small-town roots to GOP power broker, dies at 71
CIA’s Counter Espionage Department Investigated Unvaccinated Employees, Lawsuit Alleges
Florida Attorney General Calls to Impeach Judge Who Acquitted Murderous Mother
‘America and the world have lost a determined leader’: Tributes pour in after Sen Lindsey Graham’s death
“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.
Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in Lindsey Graham’s death as death certificate remains pending
Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death
From ‘disgrace’ to ‘family’: Trump’s remarkable journey with Lindsey Graham
Some Somali Kids Allegedly Spent Their July 4 Weekend Shooting People
Dr. Phil Speaks Out Against Anti-Christian Persecution
Here’s Why Judge Blocked Blue State’s Gun Ban
Father, son killed in plane crash on way home from baseball game
Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
Huckabee: Banner at Supreme Leader’s Funeral Exposes the Real Iran
Trump Spoke to Lindsay Graham Shortly Before His Death, Offers Glowing Praise for Late Republican
Report: Hours After Lindsay Graham’s Death, Nancy Mace Is Eyeing His Senate Seat
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator who rose from small-town roots to GOP power broker, dies at 71
CIA’s Counter Espionage Department Investigated Unvaccinated Employees, Lawsuit Alleges
Florida Attorney General Calls to Impeach Judge Who Acquitted Murderous Mother
‘America and the world have lost a determined leader’: Tributes pour in after Sen Lindsey Graham’s death
“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.
