Trump Blames Richard Nixon for Having ‘Unleashed’ China: They ‘Ripped Us Off From Day 1!’
President Donald Trump on Sunday blamed ex-President Richard Nixon for having “unleashed” China as a global superpower, saying the country has “ripped” the U.S. off ever since Nixon established relations with China’s communist government back in 1972.
The president blasted Nixon during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News. Trump said he believes everything is “going to be fine” with China, but that he wants to strike a “fair” trade deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping — before adding his goal has not been made easier by Nixon.
“China has ripped us off from Day One. And you know, Richard Nixon, he allowed… he allowed this to happen,” Trump said. “You know, he was the one who opened China. I said, ‘Is that good or bad? You tell me.’ he unleashed it. And we have a very strong adversary, and they only respect strength.”
Nixon is credited with starting the process of normalizing relations with China in 1972, after more than 20 years of severed diplomatic ties; full normalization occurred later in the decade under President Jimmy Carter. Nixon famously visited China in early ’72 and met with CCP Chairman Mao Zedong.
The president’s comment come as he has threatened to slap an additional 100% tariff on China, starting Nov. 1.
That Nov. 1 date coincides with Trump’s expected meeting with Xi at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in South Korea. He made that announcement after China tightened its rules on rare earth minerals, forcing exporters to obtain a license from the government.
Bartiromo asked Trump about the proposed 100% tariff, saying it would push the total tariff to 157% on Chinese goods. “Can that stand?” she asked.
“No, it’s not sustainable, but that’s what the number is,” Trump responded. “It’s probably not — you know, it could stand. But they forced me to do that.”
He added: “I think we’re going to do fine with China, I get along great with [Xi].”
You can watch part of his interview above, via Fox News.
