Schumer praises Trump's China trade crackdown

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSchumer seeks vote on bill reaffirming support for democracy in Hong Kong New Hampshire Democrats blast 'swamp creature' Lewandowski over possible Senate bid Trump rips Puerto Rico as 'corrupt' as storm approaches MORE (D-N.Y.) heaped praise Thursday on President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump and the crisis in Hong Kong Warren, Sanders battle to be main alternative to Biden Hurricane Dorian shifts path toward Georgia, Carolinas MORE's decision to crack down on China's trade practices.

 

"I don't agree with President Trump on a whole lot, but today I want to give him a big pat on the back. He is doing the right thing when it comes to China," Schumer said from the Senate floor.

 

 

He added that "unfortunately, previous presidents, Democrat and Republican, just stood by as China did what it did to us. President Trump is exactly right."

 

Trump is expected to announce on Thursday new tariffs against China in light of an investigation into intellectual property theft.

Democrats have pressed Trump for months to get tougher on China. They were critical of his steel and aluminum tariffs in part because they felt they didn't do enough to target Beijing.

 

Schumer added on Thursday that he is "very pleased" with Trump's latest move. "I commend him," the Senate's top Democrat said.

 

"Today's announcement by the president will be a great start in that direction. Democrats, Republicans, Americans of ever political ideology, every region in the country should support these actions," he said.