Washington D.C.— US President Donald Trump on Wednesday accused China of using its military parade to send a message to Washington, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were plotting against the United States.
Speaking about the massive display in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, Trump said the joint appearance of Xi Jinping, Putin, Kim, and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko was carefully staged to showcase strength. “I thought it was very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing it. And they were hoping I was watching and I was watching,” Trump said, according to the New York Times.
When asked if he had been invited to attend, Trump replied that he would not have gone even if an invitation had been extended. “It wouldn’t have been my place,” he said.
Earlier, Trump had criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping for failing to acknowledge America’s role in securing Japan’s surrender during World War II. In a social media post, Trump wrote: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.” He added that the US “should be acknowledged for the massive amount of support and blood that it gave to China in order to help it secure its freedom.”
Despite describing Xi as a “friend,” Trump emphasized that Washington’s contribution during the war should have been recognized in Xi’s address.
The parade, attended by several leaders aligned with Beijing, served as a symbolic reminder of China’s growing military and diplomatic influence on the global stage.
