Trump: ‘great’ bond with China’s Xi changed after COVID-19

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping has frayed in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic and that he has not spoken to his Chinese counterpart in a long time.

“I used to have a very good relationship with him,” Trump told Fox Sports Radio in an interview, citing their Phase One trade deal hammered out last year and signed in early 2020. “I had a great relationship with President Xi. I like him, but I don’t feel the same way now.”

Trump said his feelings changed amid COVID-19. “I certainly feel differently. I had a very, very good relationship, and I haven’t spoken to him in a long time.”