China Criticizes President Trump After Anti-Beijing RNC Speech, Says He Is Hurting Businesses

President Donald Trump received criticism from China after his acceptance speech Thursday at the Republican National Convention. China officials claim Trump’s policies “violate the will of the business community.”

“I believe this is their act which tries to put their self-interests and the interests of their parties above the interests of the United States,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press briefing in Beijing, referring to Trump. “Such political manipulation is unfeasible.”

Zhao said Trump’s stances “disrupt normal investments and operations” of international companies and contradict market principles.

Trump's speech touched on his hopes for U.S. businesses to leave China.

“We will not rely on them one bit. We are taking our business out of China. We are bringing it home. We want our business to come home,” Trump said.

In a recent Fox News interview, Trump suggested that the U.S. economy could decouple from China. “Well, it’s something that if they don’t treat us right I would certainly ... do that,” Trump told host Steve Hilton.

In January, the U.S. and China signed a “Phase One” trade agreement that would require Beijing to purchase $200 billion in U.S. goods over the next two years. In response, the U.S. would call off its planned tariff increases on Chinese products.

Trump has threatened to cancel the deal due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The president has frequently blamed Beijing for the outbreak, calling it the “China Virus.”

Trump has previously praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s handling of the outbreak.

“China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!” Trump tweeted on Jan. 24.

In 2018, Trump began a trade war with China, levying tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump believes the tariffs are a tool to revive manufacturing in the United States, but retailers have said they may have to raise prices on consumers due to the trade war.