United States President Donald Trump has described Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping as “tough, smart leaders” who must be taken seriously.
In his first interview with CBS News since settling a lawsuit with the network’s parent company earlier this year, Trump appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday night and offered candid views on global leadership and diplomacy.
When asked which of the two was more difficult to deal with, Trump drew no distinction. “Both tough. Both smart. They’re both very strong leaders. These are people not to be toyed with,” he said. “They’re serious people, not the type to walk in talking about how nice the weather is.”
Trump blames Biden for Ukraine conflict
During the interview, Trump also revisited the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, claiming it would never have occurred under his leadership. “That was a war that would’ve never happened if I was president,” he said, adding that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had himself acknowledged this. “I inherited a country where Putin thinks he’s winning. Joe Biden was the president when it happened.”
Trump went on to highlight his military record, noting that his administration had revitalised the armed forces. “I rebuilt our military during my first term. We make the best weapons in the world,” he said, adding that the same equipment is now being used in the Ukraine conflict.
What Trump said about meeting with Xi Jinping
When asked about his relationship with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Trump spoke with a mix of familiarity and respect.
“We get along great, and we always really have. He’s a strong man and a very powerful leader,” he said. While acknowledging the strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump maintained that their relationship remained “as good as it gets.”
Discussing his past trade policies, Trump defended his tariff war with China as “strategic and temporary.” He claimed his approach was designed to rebalance trade rather than punish Beijing. “It was a hurt because I was taking in a lot of money from China,” he explained.
Last week, Trump announced a 10 per cent cut in tariffs on Chinese goods, from 57 to 47 per cent, describing it as a “gesture of good faith” following “very constructive” talks with Xi in South Korea.