President Trump during an interview on Wednesday touted his “very good relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“People say we have the best relationship of any president-president, because he’s called president also,” Trump said during an interview with Fox Business Network’s Lou Dobbs.
“Now some people might call him the king of China. But he’s called president. But we have a very good relationship and that’s a positive thing.”
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During the interview, Trump repeatedly emphasized his positive relationship with the Chinese leader.
“He’s a powerful man. I happen to think he’s a very good person,” Trump said of Xi.
“Now with that being said, he represents China, I represent the USA, so, you know, there’s going to always be conflict. But we have a very good relationship.”
Trump added it would be “good” to have that kind of positive relationship with Russia “and other countries, too.”
Trump on Wednesday congratulated Xi on his “extraordinary elevation.”
“Melania and I look forward to being with President Xi & Madame Peng Liyuan in China in two weeks for what will hopefully be a historic trip!” Trump tweeted.
The Chinese Communist Party, which recently concluded its 19th party congress, formally elevated Xi on Tuesday to the same status as former leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
The decision to elevate Xi will make him the most powerful leader the country has seen in decades.