Trump Praises Putin and Xi Jinping as ‘Tough and Smart Leaders’ in CBS Interview

Donald Trump Hails Putin and Xi Jinping as “Tough and Smart Leaders” in CBS Interview

In a rare show of respect for his global counterparts, US President Donald Trump described Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping as “tough, smart, and serious leaders” who “cannot be toyed with.”

During an interview on CBS News’s 60 Minutes, his first since a major settlement between the network and his legal team earlier this year, Trump praised both leaders for their strength and strategic mindset.

When asked which of the two was harder to deal with, Trump said, “Both are tough. Both are smart. They’re very strong leaders. These are people not to be taken lightly. They don’t walk into a meeting talking about the weather — they’re serious people.”

Turning to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump asserted that the war would never have taken place during his presidency. “I inherited a country where Putin thinks he’s winning. That war would’ve never happened if I was president. Even Putin said that,” he told CBS, adding that President Joe Biden’s weak leadership emboldened Russia.

Trump emphasized that his administration maintained peace through strength. “For four years, it didn’t happen — not even a doubt,” he said. “I rebuilt our military; we make the best weapons in the world. Those weapons are now being used in that war.”

Discussing his rapport with Xi Jinping, Trump said they shared a “strong and respectful relationship.” “We’ve always gotten along great. He’s powerful, a strong man, and a very effective leader,” Trump noted, acknowledging that while the COVID-19 pandemic strained ties, their diplomatic understanding remained “as good as it gets.”

On the subject of trade, Trump defended his tough stance on China, calling it a calculated move to rebalance economic power. “It was painful, but necessary. We were taking in a lot of money from China, and they had to respond. Their real strength lies in rare earth resources — something they’ve been accumulating for decades,” he said.

Last week, Trump announced a 10% reduction in tariffs on Chinese goods — lowering them from 57% to 47% — calling it a “gesture of good faith” following his meeting with Xi Jinping in South Korea.

According to Trump, such steps are essential for global stability. “Having a strong relationship with both Russia and China is important because of the power of the two countries,” he concluded.