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.
Homeland Security official’s killing leaves agency ‘devastated’ as vetting breakdown exposed
Swalwell’s mounting sexual misconduct allegations threaten career beyond politics, experts warn
Trump Admin Moves to Wipe Out the Last Remaining Convictions from January 6, Specifically Regarding Proud Boys and Oath Keepers
2 detained after shooting in New York leaves 15-year-old killed, two others wounded: police
Guards at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ beat, pepper-sprayed detainees, lawyer says
‘We’re taxing the rich’: NYC Mayor Mamdani touts new $500M-a-year tax on luxury second homes
Navy reservist accused of murdering wife and hiding her body in freezer arrested after international manhunt
Watch: Comedian Dave Chappelle Refuses to Let NPR Reporter Shame Him for Trans Jokes
Sotomayor walks back remarks criticizing Kavanaugh, says comments were ‘inappropriate’
Sheriff sues woman who allegedly made up ICE detention, enjoyed spa day in ‘hoax’ compared to Jussie Smollett
Bessent says Trump tariffs could return by July after Supreme Court setback
Leftist Darlng Hasan Piker Given Chance to Walk Back Hamas Sympathy – Instead, He Says He’d ‘Vote’ for Them
BREAKING: Whistleblower Who Helped Kick off Trump Impeachment Has Been Hit with Criminal Referrals
Democratic secretary of state was ‘prepared’ for FBI raid in Arizona, emails show
Swalwell Scandal Reveals ‘How the Democrat Party Controls Its Members Through Blackmail,’ Stephen Miller Says
“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.
Homeland Security official’s killing leaves agency ‘devastated’ as vetting breakdown exposed
Swalwell’s mounting sexual misconduct allegations threaten career beyond politics, experts warn
Trump Admin Moves to Wipe Out the Last Remaining Convictions from January 6, Specifically Regarding Proud Boys and Oath Keepers
2 detained after shooting in New York leaves 15-year-old killed, two others wounded: police
Guards at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ beat, pepper-sprayed detainees, lawyer says
‘We’re taxing the rich’: NYC Mayor Mamdani touts new $500M-a-year tax on luxury second homes
Navy reservist accused of murdering wife and hiding her body in freezer arrested after international manhunt
Watch: Comedian Dave Chappelle Refuses to Let NPR Reporter Shame Him for Trans Jokes
Sotomayor walks back remarks criticizing Kavanaugh, says comments were ‘inappropriate’
Sheriff sues woman who allegedly made up ICE detention, enjoyed spa day in ‘hoax’ compared to Jussie Smollett
Bessent says Trump tariffs could return by July after Supreme Court setback
Leftist Darlng Hasan Piker Given Chance to Walk Back Hamas Sympathy – Instead, He Says He’d ‘Vote’ for Them
BREAKING: Whistleblower Who Helped Kick off Trump Impeachment Has Been Hit with Criminal Referrals
Democratic secretary of state was ‘prepared’ for FBI raid in Arizona, emails show
Swalwell Scandal Reveals ‘How the Democrat Party Controls Its Members Through Blackmail,’ Stephen Miller Says
“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.
