After N. Korean Missile Test, Trump Criticizes Months-Old Trade Data

President Donald Trump gestures as he and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together after their meetings at Mar-a-Lago, Friday, April 7, 2017, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized China for its increase in trade with North Korea, following what unnamed U.S. officials said Tuesday was North Korea’s test of a “probable” intercontinental ballistic missile.

The data to which Trump was referring was actually available in April, when China released its first-quarter trade data showing a 37.4 percent growth in trade with North Korea. Days earlier, Trump met at length with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Florida.

A day before China released its first-quarter trade data, Trump indicated he would not label the country a currency manipulator, saying the broken campaign promise was worth the country’s cooperation in dealing with North Korea.

On Monday night, shortly after news broke that North Korea had tested another missile, Trump asked, referring to the country’s ruler, “Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?” and suggested “Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!”

On June 20, after American student and freed North Korean captive Otto Warmbier died of injuries sustained in the country, Trump wrote that while he appreciated Xi’s “help with North Korea, it has not worked out.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Donnie’s political savvy?

  2. At times like this, I just rest easier knowing that this man of sound judgment has his little fingers on the button.

  3. He knows nothing, he cares little, and he will fail. Unfortunately, he is taking our country down, too.

  4. A thoughtful, well-reasoned, strategic world view and foreign policy - and he can do it all in 140 characters or less. Simply amazing and so extremely New Presidential. Hey, Con-man, when are you going to start making some great deals for America instead of just taking credit for or destroying the ones that were already in place?

  5. I am not sure what does he expect from the Chinese. Maybe they will grant Ivanka some more trademarks and promise not to inspect for labor violations the factory that make stuff for her. They might throw in some billboards with Trumps photo saying how great he is.

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