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.
Senate Democrat Facing Court-Martial Over Video Encouraging Military Personnel to Defy Trump
Leftists Accidentally Prove Therapist Correct After He Declares ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Is Real
Deep-pocketed conservative group once at odds with Trump now all-in to ‘help him win’
Federal judge dismisses James Comey, Letitia James indictments
DOJ Reveals ‘Damning’ Evidence Against Letitia James in New Court Filing
Alert: Bill and Hillary Clinton Ordered to Comply with House Oversight Subpoenas, Contempt Charges Already Being Threatened
Mike Johnson says House GOP working full steam ahead on Trump’s ‘affordability agenda’
Trump says those against tariffs ‘serving hostile foreign interests,’ ‘full benefit’ yet to be seen
Masked thieves in South American crime ring loot American homes in coordinated pattern, police warn
Chicago public schools blow millions on travel while students can’t read at grade level and more top headlines
Christianity Today Hires Woke Female CEO Amid Continued Liberal Shift
Where illegal immigrants find work in the US
Nikki Haley’s Gen Z Son Gains Online Following, Charts Different Course from Mother
Trump kicks off Thanksgiving week with turkey pardon and Christmas tree arrival
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene slaps down notion that she’s eyeing a presidential run
“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.
Senate Democrat Facing Court-Martial Over Video Encouraging Military Personnel to Defy Trump
Leftists Accidentally Prove Therapist Correct After He Declares ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Is Real
Deep-pocketed conservative group once at odds with Trump now all-in to ‘help him win’
Federal judge dismisses James Comey, Letitia James indictments
DOJ Reveals ‘Damning’ Evidence Against Letitia James in New Court Filing
Alert: Bill and Hillary Clinton Ordered to Comply with House Oversight Subpoenas, Contempt Charges Already Being Threatened
Mike Johnson says House GOP working full steam ahead on Trump’s ‘affordability agenda’
Trump says those against tariffs ‘serving hostile foreign interests,’ ‘full benefit’ yet to be seen
Masked thieves in South American crime ring loot American homes in coordinated pattern, police warn
Chicago public schools blow millions on travel while students can’t read at grade level and more top headlines
Christianity Today Hires Woke Female CEO Amid Continued Liberal Shift
Where illegal immigrants find work in the US
Nikki Haley’s Gen Z Son Gains Online Following, Charts Different Course from Mother
Trump kicks off Thanksgiving week with turkey pardon and Christmas tree arrival
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene slaps down notion that she’s eyeing a presidential run
“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.
