The White House clarified President Trump’s allegation Wednesday that China has attempted to interfere in the November midterm elections, saying China’s trade policies in response to U.S. tariffs are designed to influence voters.
A senior administration official discussed Trump’s claim during a 5-minute conference call with reporters arranged by the White House.
“Some examples of the ways that China is actively interfering in our political system include hurting farmers and workers in states and districts that voted for the president because he stood up to the ways China has taken advantage of our country economically,” the official said.
The official said Vice President Mike Pence would elaborate on Trump’s allegation in a speech next week at the Hudson Institute, and that authorities are in the process of declassifying information.
Moments after the White House call, Trump personally elaborated in his accusation, telling reporters at the United Nations in New York that he was thinking about trade policy when he made a detail-free allegation during a morning speech.
[Related: Chinese foreign minister denies election meddling, calls Trump’s accusations ‘unwarranted’]
A reporter asked Trump about the Chinese government-run China Daily attempting to place an insert in the Des Moines Register.
Trump responded: “Not only ads but statements made that they are going to hit our farmers who are my voters. I love the farmers. I’m taking care of the farmers. I’m opening up markets like nobody has ever opened markets before.”
During the White House-arranged call, the senior official offered a broad critique of China, going beyond allegations of election-related interference. He said China was responsible for “cyberbullying” American scholars and engaging in conduct to “stifle free speech on U.S. college campuses.” He said China wrongfully penalizes critics by withholding travel visas.
He continued: “China punishes or rewards businessmen, think tanks, movie studios, journalists, religious leaders, and even political candidates depending on whether they criticize or support Chinese policies. China spends billions of dollars on propaganda here and throughout the world crowding out or even posing as independent news sources.”
The official also noted that the Justice Department recently instructed two Chinese media outlets working in the U.S. — Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network — to register as foreign agents under a law requiring a disclaimer and mandatory disclosures to deter propaganda. The rare action follows a similar Justice Department approach toward two Russia-funded news outlets, RT and Sputnik, that have been accused of spreading propaganda.
Trump accused China of attempting to interfere in the midterm elections during a speech at the United Nations Security Council.
“Regrettably, we found that China has been attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election coming up in November. Against my administration,” Trump said. “They do not want me or us to win because I am the first president ever to challenge China on trade. And we are winning on trade. We are winning at every level. We don’t want them to meddle or interfere in our upcoming election.”
China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, appeared to shrug as Trump spoke. When it came his turn to speak, Wang said, “We did not and will not interfere in any country’s domestic affairs. We refuse to accept any unwarranted accusations against China.”
