Trump emphasizes willingness to negotiate with Iran and optimistic about relationship with Xi Jinping

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on the 13th (local time) that the war with Iran would “end right after the midterm elections, or perhaps even before.”

During his visit to Ireland, President Trump met with reporters at his own Dunbeg Golf Club and made the above remarks, adding, “Iran desperately wants to negotiate. They are constantly calling us.”

He continued, “They want a deal. They need to make the right deal. I will not make a useless deal.”

President Trump added, “Ultimately, we will withdraw from Iran unless we decide to stay and take the oil, as we did in Venezuela.”

Regarding the meeting scheduled for the 14th in Oman, where Iran and Gulf states will discuss solutions for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, he said, “I don’t care. It’s up to them.”

When asked whether he was worried that Chinese President Xi Jinping might cancel his scheduled visit to the United States on the 24th and the ensuing U.S.-China summit, Trump replied, “No.”

He explained, “We have a great relationship. He wants things to go well, and so do we.” He added, “I believe that during the years I was in power, China treated us very fairly. Under Biden and Obama, China gained enormous advantages.”

When asked whether he expected the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve, to decide on an interest rate hike at its Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on the 15th and 16th, Trump said, “I don’t know.”

Nevertheless, he reaffirmed his preference for rate cuts, stating, “The U.S. economy is so strong that, regardless of their formulas, we should have the lowest interest rates in the world.”

He also remarked, “America’s credit rating is the best in the world. We are making other countries wealthy. We can end that situation within two minutes.”

When asked whether he believed Congress would need to approve his pledge, announced at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, on the 9th, to distribute $5,000 to each American if the Republicans win the midterm elections, Trump replied, “I don’t know, but if the Republicans win, it will be quite easy to get congressional approval.”

He added, “Because we are generating enormous revenue, we can easily afford it,” and emphasized, “I made a promise, and I always keep my promises.”