Trump has made a number of comments about China over the past couple of weeks. Here are some of his thoughts on key issues going into this state visit.
Press freedom
Trump was asked Friday about China’s repression of journalists and what message his White House media ban sends. The president said he “doesn’t know” about China being one of the most repressive countries toward journalists but then deflected to talking about the “fake news,” saying, “We don’t repress, but they write fake news.”
AI concerns
Trump has consistently said the U.S. is “leading China” in artificial intelligence and has brought up the threat of falling behind China on the technology as a reason not to implement safeguards around its development.
The president has called the warnings about the potential threat AI poses to humanity a “conspiracy” that would make China happy. He has also called concerns about data centers — specifically how they might affect electricity and water supply — a false narrative pushed by China. He went on to call it a China “PR thing.”
Trump told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham in an interview released earlier this month, “You know, China doesn’t have guardrails, by the way. You know, the guardrails? President Xi. That’s the guardrail.”
Iran war
Trump said he and Xi discussed the war during their last meeting in Beijing. When asked about reports that Chinese satellite imagery is being used to aid Iran, Trump has repeatedly deflected, saying that the U.S. also spies on China.
Trump also said before heading to China in May that the conflict with Iran would be resolved before visiting Xi. That was over five months ago.
Electric vehicles
Trump said the talk of the U.S. allowing Chinese electric vehicles, such as those made by the carmaker BYD, into the U.S. was “phony” in his interview with Ingraham. He later said he would allow the vehicles to be built in the U.S. to help bolster manufacturing jobs.
“I’m not knocking Chinese cars,” Trump told Ingraham. “President Xi’s coming over to have a nice state dinner in two weeks.”
Today’s pomp
Trump said at his bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly yesterday that Xi’s arrival tonight is going to be a “big deal.”
He said he wished the White House ballroom had been completed for use during Xi’s trip but added it is the “hottest ticket” in town when China’s president comes to visit.
Leave a Reply