Donald Trump has said China will “behave” and will be a “friend” of the United States under his presidency even as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee asserted that he was not bothered if a trade war broke out with the Communist trading giant.
“Let me tell you something. China will behave and China will be our friend. We’ll do better under China with me and we’re also going to do better economically with me. They are going to respect our country again,” Mr. Trump told his supporters at an election rally in New Jersey on Thursday.
Trade war? Not quite
Addressing his first major rally in New Jersey along with its governor Chris Christie who endorsed him early in the primary season, he said: “These dummies say, ‘Oh, that’s a trade war. Trade war? We’re losing $500 billion in trade with China. Who the hell cares if there’s a trade war? Think of it. $500 billion and they’re telling me about a trade war.”
The 69-year-old real estate tycoon, who is likely to face Democrat Hillary Clinton, has exuded confidence that it is unlikely to happen as being alleged by his opponents.
They devalue their currency and hurt us
“You’re not going to have a trade war. Two things are going to happen. China devalues their currency, that’s how they’re killing us, Ok? They devalue their currency. They are behaving very, very badly. And, on top of that, they are building fortresses on the South China Sea. And they’re doing things,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump also asked his supporters to leave the economy to him. “A lot of you don’t know the world of economics. And you shouldn’t even bother. Just do me a favour. Leave it to me. Just go enjoy your life,” he said.
Last year, China was the world’s largest merchandise trader, with combined exports and imports worth $4,303 billion. The U.S. was close behind in second place, with total trade worth $4,032 billion.
