NATO Isn’t the Only Thing President Trump Changed His Mind About This Week
President Donald Trump reversed course on several policy matters this week, from the status of the Federal Reserve Chairwoman to whether he believes China is a currency manipulator. Here’s a look at exactly how the President changed his views on these major issues.
Janet Yellen Can Stay (Maybe)
Trump told the Wall Street Journal Wednesday that he is still figuring out whether to retain Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen after her term is up in 2018. “I like her, I respect her,” Trump said of Yellen. “It’s very early.”
He did note his appreciation for low interest rates (in March, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for just the third time since the 2008 financial crisis). But when explicitly asked if she would be “toast,” Trump responded, “no, not toast.”
During the campaign, Trump criticized Yellen. In an interview with CNBC in September 2016, Trump said Yellen was purposely keeping interest rates low and should be “ashamed” of what she’s doing to the country.
China Is No Longer a Currency Manipulator
Trump will no longer label China a currency manipulator because it could impede talks with the country about North Korea. “They’re not currency manipulators,” Trump told the Journal.
But criticizing China for currency manipulation was a frequent topic for Trump on the campaign trail, where he referred to the country as “abusers” and said he would label them a currency manipulator.
“China just devalued their currency recently more than they have at any time in more than two decades,” he told Anderson Cooper in March 2016. “This was like shocking. And the only reason they did it is because we’re weak and have no leadership.”
While his comments about China got more attention when he voiced them as a candidate, they date back to years before he officially mounted a presidential run. “Once again Obama fails to classify China as a currency manipulator,” Trump tweeted in October 2012. “He just helped China steal even more jobs and money from us.”
NATO Isn’t Obsolete
READ MORE: Donald Trump Torpedoes Peace Through Strength’
