Trump Says "Negotiating With All Countries Including China"... Miller Strongly Considered for National Security Advisor

"No Plans to Speak with Xi Jinping This Week"
"Next National Security Advisor to Be Decided Within Six Months"

U.S. President Donald Trump stated regarding tariff policies and trade negotiations with partner countries that "negotiations are underway with almost every country, including China."

Yonhap News

On May 4 (local time), President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from Palm Beach, Florida to Washington, D.C., "Ultimately, I will be the one to decide on the terms of the negotiations," according to the White House press pool.

When asked whether he planned to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, he replied, "No," but added, "However, our people and the Chinese side are discussing other issues."

President Trump said, "You (the press) keep asking the same question: 'When will you reach an agreement?' That is up to me, not them. Right now, we are not trading with China at all. The tariffs are so high that they are effectively unable to do business with us, and because of this, we are saving billions of dollars," he claimed.

He continued, "We want a fair deal with China," but added, "However, China has taken advantage of us for a long time. Therefore, we may have to consider some retaliatory measures."

He said, "We will have a deal ready in two or three weeks. I will say that certain countries have posted enormous trade surpluses with us. I will not be taken advantage of. So, at some point, I will set specific tariff rates."

Regarding Mike Waltz, the White House National Security Advisor whom President Trump dismissed on May 1, he said, "It is not that I lost trust in him. He was fine, and he will do well in his new position."

On appointing former advisor Waltz as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, he said, "Moving him is a promotion. If I had a choice, I would have wanted that position (UN Ambassador) myself."

Regarding the successor to the National Security Advisor position, which is currently being filled on an interim basis by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Trump said, "Many people want that position. Many say that Rubio's work fits well with the role, but I will nominate someone," adding that the decision will be made "within six months."

He indicated that Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, is being strongly considered as the next National Security Advisor, stating, "I believe he is already indirectly fulfilling that role."