Trump: Friendship with Xi may be over
ing, even if it was called an informal meeting,” said a former Washington-based diplomat who spoke on background to explain nuances of meetings and interactions between officials of two different countries. “It’s against diplomatic norms to do this.”
Qureshi’s interaction was similar to the quick exchange of words and greetings that external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had with Trump at the conclusion of a UN conference on the world’s drug problems on Monday.
After being introduced to Trump, Swaraj passed on greetings to him from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to which the president replied, “I love India, give my regards to my friend PM Modi.” UNITED NATIONS : US President Donald Trump admitted his friendship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be over on Wednesday as he accused Beijing of undermining his prospects in upcoming elections.
Trump said China wanted him to suffer an electoral setback as payback for his hard line over trade. China’s foreign minister Wang Yi, who was in attendance at the meeting of the Security Council, called Trump’s claim complete “nonsense”.
After accusing the government in Beijing of using a variety of tactics to damage his chances at the vital midterm polls in November, he said that relations with Xi might have taken a permanent turn for the worse.
Asked at a press conference in New York how Xi could remain his friend given the hike in tensions, Trump indicated that he preferred to be respected than liked.
“He may not be a friend of mine anymore but I think he probably respects me,” said the president, who said the US economy was easily weathering the impact of the trade dispute.