President Donald Trump believes China shares America’s goal of a denuclearized Korean peninsula in a preview of an interview set to air on Fox News Wednesday.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier pushed Trump on whether he believes he is playing into China’s desire by stabilizing the Korean peninsula and disengaging from the region by canceling U.S. military exercises after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“No. I think China really would like to see no nuclear weapons you want to know the truth. Look, whether you are semi friendly with a nation or not, when they have nuclear weapons and you are that close, it can’t be a positive feeling. Just can’t be. China has been very helpful,” Trump replied, adding that China may ease its restrictions on North Korea because it is upset about U.S. trade policy.
Trump criticized China in recent weeks ahead of his summit with North Korea questioning why Kim Jong Un’s tone became more critical of the U.S. after having a secret meeting with President Xi Jinping.