Trump says China respects him because Xi Jinping knows he is 'crazy'Skip to contentBritish Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersTrump says China respects him because Xi knows he is 'crazy'19 October 2024Kayla EpsteinBBC News, New YorkGetty ImagesDonald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2017Donald Trump has said that if he returns to the White House China would not dare provoke him because President Xi Jinping knows the Republican is "crazy".Speaking to the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, Trump said that if elected president next month, he would impose tariffs on China if it sought to blockade Taiwan.“I would say: if you go into Taiwan, I’m sorry to do this, I’m going to tax you at 150% to 200%,” he said.On the campaign trail, the Republican candidate has argued that America’s adversaries would not act against US interests under a new Trump presidency because they would fear a forceful, even unpredictable, response.US election polls: Who is ahead - Harris or Trump?He told the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board he would not have to use military force to prevent a blockade of Taiwan, because President Xi “respects me and he knows I’m [expletive] crazy”.“I had a very strong relationship with him,” Trump said of President Xi. “He was actually a really good, I don’t want to say friend - I don’t want to act foolish, ‘he was my friend’ - but I got along with him great.”“He’s a very fierce person,” Trump added.The former president also cast his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a positive light, saying: “I got along with him great.”But Trump - who has previously been criticised for praising the Russian leader - said he had threatened him not to invade Ukraine.He told the Journal that he said to Putin: “'I’m going to hit you right in the middle of fricking Moscow.’ I said, ‘We’re friends. I don’t want to do it, but I have no choice.’ He goes, ‘No way.’ I said, ‘Way.’“I said, ‘You’re going to be hit so hard, and I’m going to take those [expletive] domes right off your head.’ Because, you know, he lives under the domes.”With his vows to wage trade wars and end US involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump has branded his foreign policy America First, though detractors say it is isolationist.The Republican’s choice of JD Vance as his running mate alarmed Ukraine’s allies, as the Ohio senator staunchly opposes sending any more US aid to the country.Vulnerable time for Europe as clock ticks down for BidenTrump calls judge 'evil' for releasing case files before electionTrump's choice of running mate raises fears in Ukraine and EUOn mass deportation planTrump, whose hardline immigration stance is central to his campaign, told the Wall Street Journal: "I want a lot of people to come in, but I want them to come in legally."Asked about his plan for mass deportations of illegal immigrants, he said: "I don’t want to go too much into clarification, because the nicer I become, the more people that come over illegally."Trump also defended the "zero tolerance" migrant family-separation policy that was used during his administration.“I said, 'We’re going to separate your family.' It doesn’t sound nice, but when a family hears they’re going to be separated, you know what they do? They stay where they are, because we couldn’t handle it."But the interest from the heart, yeah, something’s going to be done. I mean, there’s some human questions that get in the way of being perfect, and we have to have the heart, too. OK?”On election unrestThe Wall Street Journal also asked Trump about his remark on Fox News this week that the "radical left" in the US poses more of a threat than foreign actors."I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within," Trump said in an interview with the network, referring to “sick people, radical left lunatics" who he said could cause trouble around the election.Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, he cited President Joe Biden's remark this month that he is not certain if the election will be peaceful. Biden was referring to Trump supporters like those who rioted at the Capitol in 2021.“If you were to reach the presidency again, would you of course rule out using the military to move against your enemies?” Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan asked Trump.“Of course I wouldn’t. But now, if you’re talking about you’re going to have riots on the street, you would certainly bring the National Guard in,” Trump said.Xi JinpingChinaRussiaUS election 2024Donald TrumpWatchBarron Trump: Then and nowAged just 10 when his father first became president, he's now well over six feet tall, and goes to New York University.20 Jan 2025US & CanadaWatch: Trump's 'golden age' speech in 82 secondsThe US president spoke about his plans for the second Trump administration, as well as criticising the 'corrupt establishment'.20 Jan 2025US & Canada'I Donald John Trump'... 47th US president sworn inWatch the historic moment when the 45th president is returned to power as he takes the oath of office. 20 Jan 2025US & CanadaTech CEOs, celebs and presidents - who's inside Trump's inaugurationElon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos were among those invited inside the Capitol for Donald Trump's swearing in.20 Jan 2025Thousands protest in Washington DC ahead of Trump inaugurationThousands of people joined in on demonstrations as the United States prepares to inaugurate its new president.18 Jan 2025US & CanadaBiden gives warnings on climate and oligarchy in farewell speechThe outgoing US president warned against power in the hands of the wealthy, the threat of the tech industry and climate change.16 Jan 2025US & CanadaWatch key moments from Rubio and Bondi's confirmation hearingsTrump's pick for US attorney general was pressed on claims of election fraud and pardons for January 6 rioters.15 Jan 2025Watch key moments from Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearingDonald Trump's defence secretary nominee was asked about his stance on women in combat and his alleged excessive drinking.14 Jan 2025US & CanadaWatch moment Kamala Harris certifies US election resultHarris, who Trump defeated in the 2024 election, presided over the event as required by the US Constitution.6 Jan 2025US & CanadaA look at Trump's new top team... in 85 secondsAmong the allies the president-elect has chosen to join his administration are contentious figures, including among fellow Republicans.16 Nov 2024US & CanadaTrump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretaryThe president-elect has nominated RFK to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.14 Nov 2024US & CanadaFBI video shows moment man sets ballot box on fireThe suspect used an “improvised incendiary device” to start the fire in Portland, Oregon, ahead of the US election.14 Nov 2024Why is Kamala Harris still asking for campaign donations?A week after losing the election, Kamala Harris's team are still appealing for funds.14 Nov 2024US & CanadaWhat a Republican trifecta means for Trump's second termRepublicans have won control of both chambers of Congress, yielding Trump limited congressional oversight for at least 2 years.
13 Nov 2024US & Canada‘Welcome back’ - Watch moment Biden congratulates TrumpThe president and president-elect shook hands as part of a long-standing tradition signifying the transfer of power.13 Nov 2024US & CanadaWhat we can expect from Trump and Biden's meetingGiven all the things they’ve said about each other, Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s meeting could be really awkward.13 Nov 2024US & Canada'I think Putin believes that he knows how to play Trump' - John Bolton'I think Putin believes that he knows how to play Trump', says Trump's former adviser John Bolton.7 Nov 2024Putin congratulates 'courageous' Trump on election winThe Russian president says he was impressed by Trump's reaction to the first assassination attempt against him.7 Nov 2024WorldWatch: Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump winThe president addressed Americans from the White House for the first time since Donald Trump's election victory.7 Nov 2024US & CanadaUS voters on one reason Trump won... and why Harris lostAfter Donald Trump's decisive victory, we asked Americans what they think made the difference for each campaign.6 Nov 2024US & CanadaMore21 hrs agoWhat is Doge and why is Musk cutting so many jobs?US President Donald Trump’s new agency is tasked with slashing costs - but faces opposition.21 hrs agoTechnology6 days agoProject 2025: The right-wing wish list for Trump's second termA conservative think tank set out a sweeping vision for governing that could influence Trump's next term. What influence has it had so far?6 days agoUS & Canada6 days agoJD Vance: The Maga loyalist who became vice-president The conservative from Ohio shot to fame writing about his hard upbringing and is now first in line to the US presidency.6 days agoUS & Canada5 Feb 2025Top Trump nominees advance as Senate confirms attorney generalThe full Senate voted in the evening, approving Bondi as the next attorney general, tasked with running the Department of Justice.  5 Feb 2025US & Canada1 Feb 2025Will Donald Trump’s tariffs hurt US consumers?Trump claims more taxes on trade wouldn't be a cost to the US - but almost all economists dispute this.1 Feb 2025US & CanadaBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherBBC ShopBBC in other languagesFollow BBC on:Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCAdvertise with usDo not share or sell my infoContact technical supportCopyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved.  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. 
In my imagination, Trump reads these reddit posts so;

  
"Xi doesn't even give you a moments thought you dense cabbage"