As he heads to Japan, Trump complains of military obligations
Washington — Hours before departing Wednesday for a global economic summit in Japan, President Donald Trump complained about the military alliance between the two countries, criticized world leaders he will see at the gathering and unloaded on a list of domestic political foes, including a star of the U.S. women’s soccer team.
Trump’s comments during a wide-ranging Fox Business interview and on Twitter came as he prepared to discuss a range of pressing issues at the two-day Group of 20 meeting in Osaka, including trade disagreements, escalating tensions in the Middle East and the stalled nuclear negotiations with North Korea.
“If Japan is attacked, we will fight World War III,” Trump said on Fox Business. “We will go in, and we will protect them, and we will fight with our lives and with our treasure. We will fight at all costs. But if we’re attacked, Japan doesn’t have to help us at all. They should watch it on a Sony television, the attack.”
In the same interview, Trump berated China over stalled trade talks and falsely said China is bearing the full brunt of U.S. tariffs imposed this year, despite the effect they are having on U.S. consumers.
“Don’t play. Don’t let anyone tell you that China’s not paying for it. China’s paying for it,” Trump said. “We’re not paying for any of it.”
Trump also criticized or insulted European leaders he will see at the Japan meeting, renewed a tariff threat against Europe, denounced his handpicked Federal Reserve chairman and complained that Vietnam is “almost the single worst abuser of everybody.”
“Almost all countries in this world take tremendous advantage of the United States,” he said. “It’s unbelievable.”
The comments fit with Trump’s habit of criticizing or mischaracterizing his counterparts before global summits, remarks that often put U.S. allies on edge and scramble the potential for progress.
“Almost all countries in this world take tremendous advantage of the United States. It’s unbelievable.” PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP