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.
Dozens of Dem Lawmakers Push to Make Sure Parents Can’t Tell If Kids’ TV Shows Push Transgender Ideology
Illegal Alien Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Aiding Tren de Aragua Mass Shooting
Trump endorsement streak gets unusual boost with South Carolina GOP governor nomination
Trump scores major win as Congress passes housing crackdown on Wall Street investors
Authors of new Trump book reveal his health is the one mystery they couldn’t crack
Ultra-Orthodox Jews become political football for Netanyahu
Former SLED investigator who testified at Alex Murdaugh trial fired from Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
Senators unveil bipartisan bill to safeguard children from AI chatbots
Brooklyn coffee shop that targeted Jewish congressman faces DOJ probe after reported tax, health code issues
Nearby Residents Told to Stay Inside as Semi Carrying Millions of Bees Overturns
Senate Schedule Rearranged as Mitch McConnell Is Set to Miss Another Full Week of Voting
Republicans break with Trump to rebuke Iran war — but it won’t change policy
DHS demands New York sanctuary politicians honor detainer for man convicted of raping corpse on subway
Marjorie Taylor Greene follows Tucker Carlson in ditching the ‘America Last’ Republican Party
Iranian leaders project newfound confidence with international travel spree
“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.
Dozens of Dem Lawmakers Push to Make Sure Parents Can’t Tell If Kids’ TV Shows Push Transgender Ideology
Illegal Alien Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Aiding Tren de Aragua Mass Shooting
Trump endorsement streak gets unusual boost with South Carolina GOP governor nomination
Trump scores major win as Congress passes housing crackdown on Wall Street investors
Authors of new Trump book reveal his health is the one mystery they couldn’t crack
Ultra-Orthodox Jews become political football for Netanyahu
Former SLED investigator who testified at Alex Murdaugh trial fired from Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
Senators unveil bipartisan bill to safeguard children from AI chatbots
Brooklyn coffee shop that targeted Jewish congressman faces DOJ probe after reported tax, health code issues
Nearby Residents Told to Stay Inside as Semi Carrying Millions of Bees Overturns
Senate Schedule Rearranged as Mitch McConnell Is Set to Miss Another Full Week of Voting
Republicans break with Trump to rebuke Iran war — but it won’t change policy
DHS demands New York sanctuary politicians honor detainer for man convicted of raping corpse on subway
Marjorie Taylor Greene follows Tucker Carlson in ditching the ‘America Last’ Republican Party
Iranian leaders project newfound confidence with international travel spree
“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.
