White House clarifies Trump ‘second thoughts’ remark, says he regretted not hitting China harder
- ‘I have second thoughts about everything,’ Trump said about trade fight
- Trade war returns to front burner as both sides warn of further tariffs
Donald Trump acknowledged having second thoughts on escalating the trade war with China – only for his top spokeswoman to later say he meant he regretted not raising tariffs even more.
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham now says the media misinterpreted Trump’s initial remarks. The US president does not regret starting a trade war, but he does have second thoughts on whether he should have hit the Chinese even harder.
“The president was asked if he had ‘any second thought on escalating the trade war with China.’ His answer has been greatly misinterpreted. President Trump responded in the affirmative – because he regrets not raising the tariffs higher,” Grisham said in a statement.
The initial remark drew worldwide headlines because Trump is rarely one for second-guessing himself, and instead goes bigger on his ideas in the face of criticism. Grisham’s explanation is more in the line with the Trump the Group of Seven nations know, and who often drives them to distraction.
Trump, during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday at the Group of Seven summit, was asked whether he had “any second thoughts on escalating the trade war” with China, after he announced higher tariffs late Friday.
“Yeah, sure, why not?” Trump replied. Reporters asked again whether he had second thoughts. “Might as well, might as well,” he replied, before reporters asked again. “I have second thoughts about everything,” he said.