Donald Trump on COVID-19 and China

Donald Trump on China and the COVID-19 Outbreak

THEN
NOW


Jan - April 1, 2020
April 18 - Sept 2020

Donald
Donald Trump on COVID-19 and China Now


#DonaldTrump 1/24/20: "China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency." » #Trump 4/18/20: "❲China❳ should have let us go in…they didn’t want us in." Click To Tweet

Donald Trump on China and the COVID-19 Outbreak

THEN

Jan - April 1, 2020

Donald Trump on COVID-19 and China Then
“I do [‘trust that we’re going to know everything we need to know from China’]. I do. I have a great relationship with President Xi. We just signed probably the biggest deal ever made.”
- Jan 22, 2020
China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!”
“We are in very close communication with China concerning the virus. Very few cases reported in USA, but strongly on watch. We have offered China and President Xi any help that is necessary. Our experts are extraordinary!”
“I think China is going to really be terrific. I think our relationship has never been better. We’re very much involved with them, right now, on the virus that’s going around. We’re working very closely. I spoke to President Xi. We’re working very closely with China… I think our relationship with China now might be the best it’s been in a long, long time. And now it’s reciprocal. Before, we were being ripped off badly.”
- Jan 29, 2020
“Just received a briefing on the Coronavirus in China from all of our GREAT agencies, who are also working closely with China. We will continue to monitor the ongoing developments. We have the best experts anywhere in the world, and they are on top of it 24/7!”
“Well, what I’m doing [about COVID-19] is we’re dealing very closely with China. We’ll be making certain announcements over the next 24 hours and 48 hours. And we are in great shape. China is not in great shape right now, unfortunately. But they’re working very hard. We’ll see what happens. But we’re working very closely with China and other countries.”
- Jan 30, 2020

Fox News (via Real Clear Politics), Jan 31, 2020
Trump: Elizabeth Warren Is Not Going To Be The Nominee, 'Too Many Yarns'

(retrieved 3/23/20)
“I think our relationship [with China] has never been better. We’re very much involved with them, right now, on the virus that’s going around. We’re working very closely. I spoke to President Xi. We’re working very closely with China… I think our relationship with China now might be the best it’s been in a long, long time. And now it’s reciprocal. Before, we were being ripped off badly.”
- Jan 30, 2020
“Now we’re working very strongly with China on the coronavirus… we’re working very closely with them and with a lot of other people and a lot of other countries. And we think we have it very well under control… we’re working very closely with China and other countries, and we think it’s going to have a very good ending for it. So that I can assure you.”
- Jan 30, 2020
“Working closely with China and others on Coronavirus outbreak. Only 5 people in U.S., all in good recovery.”
“In fact, maybe we’ve never had a better relationship [with China] and we’re working with them very closely on the coronavirus. We’re working with them very, very closely… we’re working with China just so you know, and other countries very, very closely, so it doesn’t get out of hand.”
- Jan 30, 2020
“We pretty much shut it [COVID-19] down coming in from China. We have a tremendous relationship with China, which is a very positive thing. Getting along with China, getting along with Russia getting along with these countries.”
- Feb 2, 2020
“We are coordinating with the Chinese government and working closely together on the coronavirus outbreak in China. My administration will take all necessary steps to safeguard our citizens from this threat.”
- Feb 4, 2020

Associated Press (via U.S. News), Feb 5, 2020
Text of President Trump's 2020 State of the Union Address

(retrieved 3/23/20)
“Just had a long and very good conversation by phone with President Xi of China. He is strong, sharp and powerfully focused on leading the counterattack on the Coronavirus. He feels they are doing very well, even building hospitals in a matter of only days. Nothing is easy, but he will be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm & the virus hopefully becomes weaker, and then gone. Great discipline is taking place in China, as President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. We are working closely with China to help!”
“No [not ‘concerned that China is covering up the full extent of coronavirus‘]. China is working very hard. Late last night, I had a very good talk with President Xi, and we talked about — mostly about the coronavirus. They’re working really hard, and I think they are doing a very professional job. They’re in touch with World — the World — World Organization. CDC also. We’re working together. But World Health is working with them. CDC is working with them. I had a great conversation last night with President Xi. It’s a tough situation. I think they’re doing a very good job… I think that China will do a very good job.”
- Feb 7, 2020

White House, Feb 7, 2020
Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure

(retrieved 3/23/20)
“I just spoke to President Xi last night, and we’re working on the problem, the virus. It’s a very tough situation, but I think he’s going to handle it. I think he’s handling it really well. We’re helping wherever we can. But we have a great relationship. It’s incredible. They respect us again. They didn’t even respect us. What they were doing to us, they didn’t even respect us. They respect us again and we respect them. And we think, I think we have the best relationship we’ve had with China, but it’s really incredible.”
- Feb 7, 2020

Rev, Feb 7, 2020
Donald Trump Speech Transcript at Opportunity Now Summit in Charlotte, NC

(retrieved RetrievedDATE)
starts at beginning

“And I think [China‘s] doing a good job on that, on the virus. I had a long talk with President Xi — for the people in this room — two nights ago, and he feels very confident. He feels very confident. And he feels that, again, as I mentioned, by April or during the month of April, the heat, generally speaking, kills this kind of virus. So that would be a good thing.”
- Feb 10, 2020
“We’re working with [China]. You know, we just sent some of our best people over there, World Health Organization and a lot of them are composed of our people. They’re fantastic. And they’re now in China, and we’re helping them out… Our relationship with China, you know, we made a — a great deal, a great trade deal, and our relationship on top of that is probably better with China… I think the virus is going to be — it’s going to be fine. They’re working very hard and we are in communication with them.”
- Feb 10, 2020
“And by the way, the virus, [China‘s] working hard… I spoke with President Xi, and they’re working very, very hard. And I think it’s going to all work out fine. Rough stuff, I tell you, rough, rough stuff. But I think it’s going to work out good.”
- Feb 10, 2020
“I spoke to [China‘s] President Xi two days ago. They’re working on it very professionally.… They are having difficulty in China but they’re working very, very hard. We’re working with them. We’re sending a lot of people

“I think they’ve handled it professionally and I think they’re extremely capable and I think President Xi is extremely capable and I hope that it’s going to be resolved.”
- Feb 13, 2020

“I spoke with President Xi of China, and he’s working very hard on this. It’s a tremendous problem. But they’re very capable and they’ll — they’ll get to it.”
- Feb 14, 2020

White House, Feb 14, 2020
Remarks by President Trump to National Border Patrol Council Members

(retrieved 3/23/20)
“I think President Xi is working very hard. As you know, I spoke with him recently. He’s working really hard. It’s a tough problem. I think he’s going to do — look, I’ve seen them build hospitals in a short period of time. I really believe he wants to get that done, and he wants to get it done fast. Yes, I think he’s doing it very professionally. We’re also working with him and helping him, as of the last few days, as you know… President Xi loves the people of China, he loves his country, and he’s doing a very good job with a very, very tough situation.”
- Feb 18, 2020

White House, Feb 14, 2020
TITLE

(retrieved 3/23/20)
“I’m confident that [China‘s] trying very hard. I mean, I know President Xi — I get along with him very well… they are trying very, very hard, and I think the numbers are going to get progressively better as we go along. They’re working it — they built they built a hospital in seven days, and now they’re building another one. I think it’s going to work out fine.”
- Feb 19, 2020
“No [I don’t think President Xi should be doing something different], I think President Xi is working very, very hard. I spoke to him. He’s working very hard. I think he’s doing a very good job. It’s a big problem. But President Xi loves his country. He’s working very hard to solve the problem and he will solve the problem. Okay?”
- Feb 23, 2020

White House, Feb 23, 2020
Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure

(retrieved 3/23/20)
China is working very, very hard. I have spoken to President Xi, and they’re working very hard… They’re getting it more and more under control. So I think that’s a problem that’s going to go away… I think it’s going to be under control.”
- Feb 25, 2020

White House, Feb 26, 2020
Remarks by President Trump at a Business Roundtable | New Delhi, India

(retrieved 3/23/20)
“But in the meantime, we’re working with China very much on the virus. We feel that’s something. And I have to tell — I spoke to President Xi the other day. He is so committed to solving that problem. He is — he is working very hard. He is very capable. The country is very capable. And it snuck up on him, but I think he’s going to do well.”
- Feb 25, 2020

White House, Feb 26, 2020
Remarks by President Trump in Press Conference

(retrieved 3/23/20)
“I spoke with President Xi. We had a great talk. He’s working very hard, I have to say. He’s working very, very hard. And if you can count on the reports coming out of China, that spread has gone down quite a bit. The infection seems to have gone down over the last two days. As opposed to getting larger, it’s actually gotten smaller. In one instance where we think we can be — it’s somewhat reliable, it seems to have gotten quite a bit smaller…

“I speak to him; I had a talk with him recently. And he is working so hard on this problem. He is working so hard. And they’re very tough and very smart. And it’s a significant — it’s a significant group of very talented people that are working. And they’re calling up Dr. Fauci. They’re calling up our people. We’re dealing with them. We’re giving them certain advice. We actually have — through World Health, we have them over there also. And we have a lot of our people making up that group that went over there.

“No, he’s working very hard. It would be very easy for me to say, you know — it doesn’t matter what I say, really. I can tell you, he is working — I had a long talk with him the other night. He is working really, really hard. He wants it to go away from China and go away fast, and he wants to get back to business as usual…

“The relationship with China is a very good one. And I can tell you that, again, President Xi is working really hard. He wants this problem solved. As hard as you can work.”
- Feb 26, 2020

“Congratulations and thank you to our great Vice President & all of the many professionals doing such a fine job at CDC & all other agencies on the Coronavirus situation. Only a very small number in U.S., & China numbers look to be going down. All countries working well together!”
“We’ve been in very close contact with China, including myself with President Xi… He worked — he’s been working very, very hard, I can tell you that. And they’re making a lot of progress in China. You probably saw Starbucks are now opened again…

“I think our relationship with China is very good. We just did a big trade deal. We’re starting on another trade deal with China — a very big one. And we’ve been working very closely. They’ve been talking to our people, we’ve been talking to their people, having to do with the virus. No, our relationship with China is very good. Maybe it’s closer because of what’s happened here, because it was — you know, in a certain way, this can bring the world closer, if you want to know. It can really do that.”
- Feb 29, 2020

“And we’re getting along very well with China. We’re dealing with China. President Xi, who I speak with, President Xi is working very, very hard in China. They have a big problem. But their numbers have gotten much better with respect, with respect to the coronavirus, very much better.”
- March 4, 2020
“We’re working together with China… If we could find [pandemic-related information] that’s beneficial, we want to give it to China like they’re going to want to give it to us. China is working very closely with us.”
- March 6, 2020
“I think [‘data China has been sharing with the United States’] has been helpful. We’ve been working very much with China. I’ve spoken, as you know, with President Xi. They went through hell, and their numbers are starting to look very good… We are sharing data, yes. In fact, we’re sharing quite a bit of data, including the fact that some of our pharmaceutical companies are working over there right now with large groups of people…

“And as far as President Xi — likewise, he’s a friend of mine. I believe that we are dealing in good faith.”
- March 13, 2020

“I have a very good relationship with China and with President Xi. I have great respect for President Xi. I consider him to be a friend of mine. It’s unfortunate that this got out of control. It came from China. It got out of control. Some people are upset. I know — I know President Xi. He loves China. He respects the United States. And I have to say, I respect China greatly and I respect President Xi. Okay?”
- March 20, 2020
“I have great respect for China. I like China. I think the people of China are incredible. I have a tremendous relationship with President Xi. I wish they could have told us earlier about what was going on inside. We didn’t know about it until it started coming out publicly…

“China was very secretive, okay? Very, very secretive. And that’s unfortunate. With that, I have great respect for that country. I have great respect for the leader of that country and like him. He’s a friend of mine

“No, they weren’t transparent. They were transparent at that time [late January], but when we saw what happened, they could have been transparent much earlier than they were.”
- March 21, 2020

“Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the CoronaVirus that is ravaging large parts of our Planet. China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!”
“So I had a great conversation with the President Xi of China last night, pretty late in the night. It was fascinating to me… And he’s — he’s developed some incredible theories and all of that information is coming over here. It’s — a lot of it’s already come. The data — we call it ‘data.’ And we’re going to learn a lot from what the Chinese went through.

“Our relationship with China is very good… And, you know, they’re doing like we’re doing. They’re working on it very hard. They think they have some interesting — interesting things have — have been determined and we’ll see what happens.”
- March 27, 2020

“And we’re in constant communication with — I mean, I would say the biggest communication is myself and President Xi. The relationship is very good… the relationship is good…

“So, look, the relationship with China is a good one, and my relationship with him is, you know, really good.”
- April 1, 2020


#DonaldTrump 1/30/20: "We’re working very strongly with China on the coronavirus." » #Trump 4/19/20: "We want to go ❲to China❳; we want to see what’s going on. And we weren’t exactly invited." Click To Tweet

NOW

April 18 - Sept 2020

Donald Trump on COVID-19 and China Now
“It could have been stopped in China before it started and it wasn’t, and the whole world is suffering because of it

“Was it a mistake that got out of control or was it done deliberately? Okay, it’s a big difference between those two. In either event, they should have let us go in. You know, we asked to go in very early and they didn’t want us in. I think they were embarrassed. I think they knew it was something bad and I think they were embarrassed.”
April 18, 2020 -

Also from Reuters: 'Trump warns China could face consequences for virus outbreak' April 18, 2020

Real Clear Politics, April 18, 2020
Trump: 'Our Relationship With China Was Good Until They Did This'

(retrieved 4/23/20)
“The virus came along, and I’m not happy. I’m not happy. And I let him [President Xi?] know I’m not happy. So, you know, we had a great relationship with — we had a very bad relationship with China… But we’re not happy. This is not a good thing that happened. It came out of China… when you look at all of the people that are dying in our country, but all over the world — all over the world. People are dying…

“So we’re going to continue to fight the virus. We’re talking to China. We spoke to them a long time ago about going in. We want to go in; we want to see what’s going on. And we weren’t exactly invited, I can tell you that.”
April 19, 2020 -

“You have heard all different things [about the origins of the virus]. Three or four different concepts as to how it came out. We should have the answer to that in the not-so-distant future and that will determine a lot how I feel about China

“Yes I have [seen information that gives me ‘a high degree of confidence…that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the source of the virus’]

“I can’t tell you [why I have a ‘high degree of confidence to believe that the virus came out of the Wuhan lab’]. I’m not allowed to tell you that.”
April 30, 2020 -

“We went through the worst attack we’ve ever had in our country. This is really the worst attack we’ve ever had. This is worse than Pearl Harbor. This is worse than the World Trade Center. There’s never been an attack like this. And it never should have happened. It could’ve been stopped at the source, it should’ve been stopped at the source. It should’ve been stopped in China.”
May 6, 2020 -
“I’m not happy with China. They should’ve stopped this at the source. They could’ve stopped it right at the source.”
May 11, 2020 -

White House, May 11, 2020
Remarks by President Trump in a Press Briefing on COVID-19 Testing

(retrieved 6/1/20)
“All over the World the CoronaVirus, a very bad ‘gift’ from China, marches on. Not good!”
“What about China’s propaganda? WHO’s mistakes?”
CHINA!”
“The world is now suffering as a result of the malfeasance of the Chinese government. China’s cover-up of the Wuhan virus allowed the disease to spread all over the world, instigating a global pandemic that has cost more than 100,000 American lives and over a million lives worldwide.

“Chinese officials ignored their reporting obligations to the World Health Organization and pressured the World Health Organization to mislead the world when the virus was first discovered by Chinese authorities…

“The world needs answers from China on the virus. We must have transparency. Why is it that China shut off infected people from Wuhan to all other parts of China? It went nowhere else. It didn’t go to Beijing; it went nowhere else. But allowed them to freely travel throughout the world, including Europe and the United States.

“The death and destruction caused by this is incalculable. We must have answers not only for us but for the rest of the world.”
May 29, 2020 -

White House, May 30, 2020
Remarks by President Trump on Actions Against China

(retrieved 6/1/20)
“[The pandemic is] a gift from China — not good. They should have stopped it. They should have stopped it at the source. But it’s a gift from China and a very bad gift, I will tell you that.

“And you do say, ‘How come at Wuhan, where it started—’ And they were very badly — they were in bad trouble. But it didn’t go to any other parts. It didn’t go to Beijing. It didn’t go to other parts of China. Then you say, ‘How come it came out to Europe, to the world, to the United States?’ So it didn’t go to China; they stopped it cold. They knew it was a problem. But they didn’t stop it cold from coming to the United States, Europe, and the rest of the world. Somebody has to ask these questions, and we’ll get down to the answer.”
June 5, 2020 -

White House, June 8, 2020
Remarks by President Trump on the Jobs Numbers Report

(retrieved 7/15/20)
starts at beginning

“There’s a chance [the pandemic] was intentional. [China is] saying, ‘Man, we’re in a mess. The United States is killing us.’ Don’t forget, my economy during the last year and a half was blowing them away. And the reason is the tariffs. I don’t think they would do that… But you never know.”
June 17, 2020 -

Wall Street Journal, June 19, 2020
Trump Talks Juneteenth, John Bolton, Economy in WSJ Interview

(retrieved 7/15/20)
“It’s a disease, without question, has more names than any disease in history. I can name ‘Kung flu.’ I can name 19 different versions of names. Many call it a virus, which it is. Many call it a flu. What difference.”
June 20, 2020 -

The Hill, June 20, 2020
Trump refers to coronavirus as 'kung flu' during Tulsa rally

(retrieved un 20, 2020)
quote starts at 0:18
“COVID… I said the other night, ‘There’s never been anything where they have so many names.’ I could give you 19 or 20 names for that, right? It’s got all different names. ‘Wuhan.’ ‘Wuhan’ was catching on.coronavirus,’ right?… ‘Kung flu,’ yeah. ‘Kung flu’… Some people call it the ‘Chinese flu,’ the ‘China flu.’ Right? They call it ‘the China,’ as opposed to ‘Chi- — ‘the China.’ I’ve never seen anything like it…

“The Democrats are also trying to rig the election by sending out tens of millions of mail-in ballots, using the China virus.”
June 23, 2020 -

White House, June 23, 2020
Remarks by President Trump at a Turning Point Action Address to Young Americans

(retrieved 7/15/20)
quote starts at beginning
“As I watch the Pandemic spread its ugly face all across the world, including the tremendous damage it has done to the USA, I become more and more angry at China. People can see it, and I can feel it!”
“And make no mistake: We hold China fully responsible for concealing the virus and unleashing it upon the world. They could’ve stopped it. They should’ve stopped it. It would’ve been very easy to do at the source when it happened.”
July 14, 2020 -

White House, July 14, 2020
Remarks by President Trump in Press Conference

(retrieved 7/15/20)
“This could have been stopped in China. They should have stopped it, and they didn’t…

“The fact is, people don’t like saying it — they know it’s true: It’s China’s fault. Okay?… It’s China’s fault. And that’s the way it is.”
July 30, 2020 -

White House, July 30, 2020
Remarks by President Trump in Press Briefing | July 30, 2020

(retrieved 8/4/20)
“I used to have a very good relationship with [President Xi]… Once the plague came in from China. I call it the plague, but once the plague came in from China, the relationship changed. No question about it.”
Aug 11, 2020 -

Fox Sports (via Factbase), Aug 11, 202
Interview: Clay Travis of Fox Sports Radio Interviews Donald Trump - August 11, 2020

(retrieved 8/11/20)
“[COVID-19] could have been stopped at [China’s] border… I think what I did by closing up the country, I think I saved two, maybe two and a half, maybe more than that lives.”
Sept 15, 2020 -

The Hill, Sept 15, 2020
Trump says he doesn't think he could've done more to stop virus spread

(retrieved Sept 16, 2020)
quote starts at 1:40


#DonaldTrump 3/20/20: "I respect China greatly and I respect President Xi. Okay?" » #Trump 7/14/20: "We hold China fully responsible for concealing the virus and unleashing it upon the world. They could’ve stopped it." Click To Tweet