China, in his words · Before politics · № 12

On China

Wrote that China's navy was 'rapidly expanding (with our money)'

“Ask China if their rapidly expanding (with our money) Navy or Armed Forces are going "green" -- They would laugh in your face!”

Said

August 28, 2012, Post on Twitter (@realDonaldTrump)

Subject

naval expansion

Threat

Economic and military

Topic

Veterans & military

Era

Before politics

What the record showed

U.S. goods imports from China were $425.6 billion in 2012 and $538.5 billion in 2018, Trump's second year in office, when the goods deficit with China was $418.2 billion. The Pentagon reported on Sept. 1, 2020, that China had 'the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants.'

Sources

1. Tweet by @realDonaldTrump, August 28, 2012 Twitter, Aug 28, 2012
2. Trade in Goods with China U.S. Census Bureau, Sep 28, 2026
3. Pentagon Assessment: China Now Has World's Largest Navy Seapower Magazine, Sep 1, 2020