Trump: "Cooperating with China rather than subduing them is the way for the U.S. to become stronger"

Reaffirmed intention for nuclear tests in CBS interview

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed on the 2nd (local time) that regarding the relationship with China, "I believe cooperating with them, rather than subduing them, will make us bigger, better, and stronger."

In the CBS program '60 Minutes' interview that day, in response to criticisms that China poses a threat to the U.S. by stealing intellectual property and personal information and buying farmland, Trump said, "We are a threat to them as well, and we do many of the things you mentioned to them," adding, "We always watch them, and they always watch us."

When asked whether he would order U.S. forces to defend Taiwan if China took military action against it, he said, "You would know if that happened," and added, "He (President Xi) and his associates have said, 'They will not do anything while Trump is president.' Because they know what the consequences would be."

Trump has repeatedly vowed during his term that President Xi would not invade Taiwan. On the 20th of last month, when asked about the possibility of China invading Taiwan, he said, "I do not at all see that happening with President Xi," and "I think we could get along very well on issues such as the Taiwan matter."

Asked who is harder to deal with between President Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, "Both are smart and strong leaders," and, "These are not people to be trifled with; they are people to be taken seriously."

He reiterated his willingness to resume nuclear testing. Trump said, "We have nuclear weapons enough to blow up the Earth 150 times," and emphasized, "We need to see how they work. I don't want to be the only country that does not test."

When the host pointed out, "The only country currently conducting nuclear tests is North Korea," he countered, "The reason I talk about nuclear tests is that Russia announced it will test," and said, "Russia is doing it, and China is doing it. They just don't say (make it public)."

Trump explained, "We are an open society and (if we test) we say so. We have to. They (China and Russia) don't have a free press and we have a free press." When asked whether that meant starting nuclear explosion tests, he replied, "That we would conduct nuclear weapons tests like other countries," and said, "Yes."

However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright introduced in a Fox News interview the same day that the U.S. nuclear test currently being discussed is a subcritical test, not a nuclear explosion test.

When asked about a bid for a third term, which is interpreted as constitutionally impossible, Trump said, "I haven't thought about it," but left the impression by adding, "Many people want me to run (in 2028)."

The interview took place on the 31st of last month at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

O Se-sung, Hankyung.com reporter sesung@hankyung.com