President Trump blasted China in a tweet Wednesday morning for not working with the US to rein in North Korea’s nuclear ambitions after the reclusive regime successfully launched a missile that could strike Alaska.
“Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter. So much for China working with us – but we had to give it a try!,” the president said on Twitter.
Trump has been increasingly frustrated with China for not doing enough to pressure North Korea, one of its main trading partners in the region, and told Chinese President Xi Jinping recently that the US may have to go it alone on North Korea.
When President Kim Jong Un launched the intercontinental ballistic missile on Monday, Trump tweeted that “perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this once and for all.”
Then on Tuesday, China joined with Russia to call on Kim to freeze his nuclear weapons program, but also urged the US to suspend military exercises with South Korea and to not deploy an anti-missile defense shield that would protect Seoul in case of a North Korean attack.
Reflecting comments he made on the campaign trail, Trump also railed against trade deals that leave the US at a disadvantage.
”The United States made some of the worst Trade Deals in world history.Why should we continue these deals with countries that do not help us?’ Trump wrote.
He also previewed his trip to Poland and Germany, where he will attend the G-20 summit and meet for the first time face to face with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
”Getting ready to leave for Poland, after which I will travel to Germany for the G-20. Will be back on Saturday,” the president wrote.