In China, Trump Totally Just Bowed Down to China
US President Agrees to China’s Request to Block Media Access, Take No Questions, Praises China for ‘Taking Advantage’ of America
President Donald Trump became a willing partner to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s authoritarian rule on Thursday. At a press event the American president refused to take any questions, the first time in decades for U.S. leaders visiting China. President Trump did, however, praise China for “taking advantage” of the U.S. on trade.
“Asked why President Trump didn’t take questions from reporters today, Sarah Sanders said, ‘It was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today,'” CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reported.
The White House response, while typical of the Trump administration – blaming others for everything – did not sit well with many, especially top journalists and former White House senior staff.
NBC News’ Chuck Todd:
China isn’t supposed to have a say about press access. Previous press secs used to fight with Chinese counterparts for press access when in China. Witnessed personally. https://t.co/IWMgOoy7ZB
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) November 9, 2017
Former Obama White House Press Secretary Jay Carney:
I once had to tell Chinese officials that Pres. Obama would not show up for the press avail unless there would be a Q&A. They backed down. https://t.co/Z2LdwSYK9k
— Jay Carney (@JayCarney) November 9, 2017
The Chinese try this every time. It’s a test of will and principle. Letting them dictate press access is an embarrassing capitulation. https://t.co/uIaEWhcpgF
— Jay Carney (@JayCarney) November 9, 2017
Former Bush 43 Deputy Director of Press Advance Brad Dayspring, who would definitely know:
Iï¸ worked at the White House for President Bush. China regularly insisted on “no questions†during our travel there. Our WH team fought for greater press access, including questions. https://t.co/vDh0AgZ8cB
— Brad Dayspring (@BDayspring) November 9, 2017
Former Pentagon Public Affairs Strategic Planner:Â
This is @PressSec actually admitting Trump bows down to foreign autocrats https://t.co/LRR47ae7cS
— Adam Blickstein (@AdamBlickstein) November 9, 2017
CNN’s Marshall Cohen:
WH being totally honest here. But the past few presidents decided to take that “insistence,” ignore it, and instead showcase the First Amendment on the world stage. https://t.co/0qAmHNk1m8
— Marshall Cohen (@Marshall_Cohen) November 9, 2017
“During a 2014 visit by then President Barack Obama,” ABC News adds, “Xi took a symbolic single question from a reporter for a Chinese state newspaper. He brushed off an American reporter’s question about whether Beijing might ease restrictions on journalist visas, saying vaguely that media outlets had to obey China’s laws.”
Trump, who has called the media the “enemy of the American people,” also took no questions during an event at which Chinese companies signed contracts to buy American jetliners, soybeans and other goods.
Many were also aghast that President Trump praised China and blamed former U.S. presidents, especially while on foreign soil, for the trade imbalance (video).
President Trump says he doesn’t blame China for “taking advantage” of the US over trade https://t.co/k4rz6pYqmy pic.twitter.com/tWhqaEZTrQ
— CNN International (@cnni) November 9, 2017
“Speaking on Thursday at the the Great Hall of the People, the ceremonial heart of Communist party rule, Trump paid tribute to his ‘warm and gracious’ host,” The Guardian reports.
Audible gasp from reporters as Trump tells biz leaders in Beijing on trade imbalance: “I don’t blame China. Who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit if their citizens? I give China great credit.”
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) November 9, 2017
“During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly lashed out at China accusing it of ‘raping’ the US economy and being the country’s ‘enemy.’ But on the second day of his visit to Beijing as part of his 12-day tour of Asia, he struck a far softer tone.”
“Trade between China and the United States has not been over the last many, many years a very fair one for us,†Trump told an audience of business leaders and journalists, describing the relationship as “shockingly†unbalanced and costing the US $300bn a year.
However, to an audible gasp from the audience, the US president then went on to suggest that it was not China to blame, but the US itself.Â
“Right now, unfortunately, it is a very one-sided and unfair [relationship]. But – but – I don’t blame China. After all, who can blame a country for taking advantage of another country for the benefit of its own citizens? I give China great credit.
“But in actuality I do blame past [US] administrations for allowing this out of control trade deficit to take place and to grow. We have to fix this because it just doesn’t work … it is just not sustainable.â€
By far Trump’s biggest mistake so far on Asia trip:
Says China deserves “great credit†for “being able to take advantage†of the United States. Shameful. Terrible message to American workers and the region. Should be red meat for Democrats.— Ely Ratner (@elyratner) November 9, 2017
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