Trump on Chinese president serving ‘for life’: ‘That’s pretty good’

President Trump on Wednesday said it’s “pretty good” that Chinese President Xi Jingping is “essentially president for life.”
During an interview broadcast Wednesday with Fox News’s Bret Baier, Trump said China could be “a little upset” because of a looming trade dispute between the two countries.
“They understand what we are doing. With that being said, I have a very good relationship with President Xi of China,” Trump said.
“He’s you know, an incredible guy,” he added. “Essentially president for life. That’s pretty good.”
Trump on President Xi of China: “He’s an incredible guy. You know, essentially president for life. That’s pretty good.” pic.twitter.com/U0d8108edw
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2018
Trump has commented before on Xi’s consolidation of power in China. In March, he commended the Chinese Communist party for abolishing presidential term limits.
“He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great,” Trump said, referring to Xi.
{mosads}
“And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll give that a shot someday,” he quipped.
The president sat down with Baier on Air Force One shortly after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
After hours of discussions, Trump and Kim signed an agreement committing the United States to unspecified “security guarantees” in exchange for a denuclearized Korean peninsula. But the document lacked specifics on the timeline or nature of denuclearization.
Baier asked if China will take advantage of Trump’s pledge to halt war games with South Korea amid negotiations with the North.
“No, I think China really would like to see no nuclear weapons, you want to know the truth. Because look, whether you are semi-friendly with a nation or not, when they have nuclear weapons and you’re that close, it can’t be a positive feeling,” Trump said.
Trump continued to heap praise on Kim during his interview Wednesday, despite numerous human rights atrocities committed by his regime. Trump called the North Korean leader a “smart guy” and a “great negotiator.”
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