Noah Feldman, Columnist

What Trump's Odd Comment on China Trade Reveals

The president is a populist who expects fairness. That's a recipe for a messy trade war.

November 10, 2017 at 2:12 PM EST

Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A professor of law at Harvard University, he is author, most recently, of “To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People."

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No Donald Trump trip would be complete without a shocking quote, and this week in Beijing, at the Great Hall of the People, the president obliged. After declaring the economic playing field between China and the U.S. “one-sided” and “unfair,” he continued with a big “but”: “I don't blame China,” Trump told the audience of business leaders from both countries. “After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit of their citizens? I give China great credit.”

According to reports, his comments were met by gasps and nervous laughter. The initial reaction makes sense: It violates diplomatic protocol to confront your host so directly with an allegation of unfairness.

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