Trump on Report of Chinese Aid to Iran: “We Spy on Them Too”

President Donald Trump addressed a wide range of foreign-policy and security issues overnight (Monday), speaking with reporters during a flight from Ireland to Washington, from China and Iran to the war in Ukraine, new weapons systems, and the global race for artificial intelligence.

Against the backdrop of reports that Chinese officials may have provided Iran with satellite images of Jordanian Air Force bases, Trump was asked whether he would raise the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I think he has behaved quite reasonably, and we have behaved quite reasonably too,” he said. “When they say China is spying on us, I say: You’re right, and we spy on them too.”

Trump also discussed talks with Iran and praised CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. He pointed to Gaza as an example of the talks’ success: “Look at the fact that we got all the hostages back.” According to Trump, Ratcliffe “is involved in everything.”

Trump also revealed that he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to refrain from attacking diesel facilities and refineries in Russia, because damaging them, he said, “hurts the world.” At the same time, he said the United States is producing more Patriot systems than ever before and that new factories are being built to expand production.

Trump also predicted that laser weapons would be “the future,” noting that the systems are especially effective against slow-moving missiles and that the cost of operating the beam is very low. On artificial intelligence, he said: “There will be much more good than bad in it, by a wide margin,” adding, “Whoever wins in AI, wins.” According to Trump, the United States is currently ahead of China in the field.

He also pledged to consider releasing additional documents concerning possible ties between the 9/11 hijackers and people in Saudi Arabia. He condemned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after he was seen laughing at a memorial ceremony for the attacks: “This is not a place to laugh.” He also said he would review the sanctions imposed by Britain, Ireland, and Canada on Judea and Samaria.

Finally, Trump was asked about the 2028 presidential election and the possibility that he might endorse J.D. Vance already now. “Too early,” he replied, while praising him: “J.D. is fantastic, and he has done a very good job.” He added that Republicans have “a very deep bench” of possible candidates.