JUST IN: President Donald Trump Says He Doesn’t Blame China for Trade Imbalance, Calls Former U.S. Presidents ‘Stupid’ for Making Bad Deals

Trump Says He Doesn’t Blame China for Trade Imbalance, Blames ‘Stupid’ Former U.S. Presidents for Bad Deals

April 10, 2025 — Washington, D.C.

Former President Donald Trump made headlines once again this week after stating that he does not blame China for what he describes as decades of unfair trade practices. Instead, he pointed the finger squarely at previous American presidents, whom he accused of making “stupid” deals that weakened the United States economically.

“I don’t blame China,” Trump said during a public appearance. “If you can get away with it, go ahead. They played the game better than we did. I blame the stupid people who used to run our country. They let it happen.”

The former president, who has long framed trade as a zero-sum game and frequently touted his “America First” policy during his time in office, reiterated that U.S. leaders before him lacked the strength or intelligence to negotiate favorable agreements on behalf of the American people. Trump did not name specific presidents, but his broad swipe included administrations from both Democratic and Republican parties.

Throughout his 2016 campaign and presidency, Trump often accused China of manipulating its currency and exploiting weak U.S. leadership. However, his latest comments mark a notable shift in rhetoric by explicitly excusing China from blame and placing the responsibility entirely on American leadership.

“China outsmarted us. That’s not their fault. That’s our fault,” Trump added. “They looked after their own interests. That’s what leaders are supposed to do.”

Critics argue that Trump’s own policies did little to fundamentally change the structural trade relationship with China, noting that while tariffs were imposed, many underlying issues remained unresolved. Still, supporters applaud his willingness to call out what they see as a long-standing failure of Washington politics.

The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about America’s role in the global economy and how future leaders should approach trade, competition, and diplomacy with rising powers like China.

As Trump continues to weigh his political future and maintain a prominent voice in Republican circles, his comments serve as a reminder of the combative, outsider stance that defined his presidency—and continues to energize his base.