(Bloomberg) President Donald Trump criticized Chinese leader Xi Jinping while he received foreign leaders at a large military parade in Beijing, recalling persistent tensions between the two countries about trade, technology and other issues.
“Please convey my most warm greetings to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un while you conspire against the United States of America,” Trump said on his socially Truth website, referring to leaders of Russia and North Korea without giving further details.
Trump also wondered if Xi would give the US credit in his Wednesday speech before the parade for the “huge support” given to China during World War II. Trump added: “Many Americans died in search of China for victory and glory.”
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The main Chinese leader did not directly mention the US, although it expressed gratitude to unspecified nations that helped Beijing.
China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Xi is using the military demonstration, along with the leaders’ leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization earlier this week, to reinforce the presence of his nation on the world scenario. He seeks to use this influence to counterbalance American power, especially in Asia, where China and the US face a possible military conflict by Taiwan – the autonomous island that Beijing considers its own territory.
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Asked if the parade represented a challenge to US power, Trump rejected such allegations. “I have a great relationship with President Xi, as you know,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Hall hours before the event. “But China needs much more from us than we need it.”
Separately, Trump claimed to be confident that Beijing would not direct his defense resources against the US in the future.
“We have the strongest army in the world,” Trump said in a radio interview with conservative commentator Scott Jennings. “They would never use their military against us – believe me, it would be the worst thing they could do.”
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Although Trump has supported Putin since returning to power, in an attempt to end the war in Ukraine, the ties between the two deteriorated as Russia continues to attack its neighbor.
Earlier, at the Oval Hall, Trump said he recently “discovered things that will be very interesting” about Putin, adding that he was “watching carefully” to see if Russian leader would give in and mark a meeting with his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“Let’s see if this results. If not, we’ll take a different position,” said Trump.
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China is using the parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. The highly choreographed spectacle was attended by dozens of heads of state and government, including leaders of Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan, Belarus, Iran, Serbia and Slovakia.
