China, in his words · 2016 campaign · № 25

On China

Said China has 'total, absolute control' of North Korea while 'sucking trillions' from the U.S.

“They have total, absolute control, practically, of North Korea. They are sucking trillions of dollars out of our country - they're rebuilding China with the money they take out of our country. I would get on with China, let China solve that problem.”

Said

February 6, 2016, Republican presidential debate, Manchester, New Hampshire (ABC News)

Subject

North Korea leverage

Threat

Economic and military

Topic

Foreign policy

Era

2016 campaign

What the record showed

In April 2017, after meeting Xi Jinping, he told The Wall Street Journal that Xi had explained the history of China and Korea and that 'after listening for 10 minutes, I realized it's not so easy,' adding of China's power over North Korea, 'it's not what you would think.' On June 20, 2017 he tweeted: 'While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!'

Sources

1. Republican Candidates Debate in Manchester, New Hampshire The American Presidency Project (UC Santa Barbara), Feb 6, 2016
2. Trump thought China could get North Korea to comply. It's not that easy. The Washington Post, Apr 13, 2017
3. Tweet: 'At least I know China tried!' Twitter (@realDonaldTrump), Jun 20, 2017
4. Tweets of June 20, 2017 The American Presidency Project (UC Santa Barbara), Jun 20, 2017