Trump used to slam China. Here’s why he’s now rolling out the red carpet for Xi

WASHINGTON (AP) – When President Donald Trump first ran for office, he called out China as a menace to the U.S.

Key points

• Trump shrugged off reports that China had provided Iran with satellite imagery, saying, "I think he's behaved reasonably well." After accusing Beijing of accessing U.S.
• "He's a great gentleman; we get along great, " Trump remarked this month.
• On matter after problem, the Republican president has given Xi a pass.

WASHINGTON (AP) – When President Donald Trump first ran for office, he called out China as a menace to the U.S. Economy, saying it had gutted America's factories and eroded the middle class.

That tough talk supported Trump secure to the White House a decade ago, but since then, he increasingly speaks in glowing terms regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping, the geopolitical rival Trump will fete on Thursday with a state dinner.

"He's a great gentleman; we get along great, " Trump remarked this month. "We have a very good trading relationship and, you know, they're a competitor and all of that, but we have a very good relationship with President Xi."

Trump shrugged off reports that China had provided Iran with satellite imagery, saying, "I think he's behaved reasonably well." After accusing Beijing of accessing U.S. Voter files back in 2020, Trump indicated he was hesitant to retaliate: "I think China is maybe a little bit different today than it was then."

In short, trump used to slam China. Heres why hes now rolling out the is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.