Trump does not take questions during first China visit

President Trump declined to take questions from reporters Thursday alongside his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, according to multiple reports, in a break with some of his predecessors.

Trump and Xi did not take questions during an event during Trump’s visit to the country, The Associated Press reported.

CNN reported that former President Obama did not take questions during his first visit to China, but former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton did.

Chinese Presidents haven’t wanted to do it with those 3 US presidents either. But the White House made a point of insisting they take at least one question each in the past. https://t.co/bPMLBk5ZCt

— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) November 9, 2017

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the Chinese wanted to avoid questions. 

“It was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today,” she said, according to a CNN reporter.

Asked why President Trump didn’t take questions from reporters today, Sarah Sanders said, “It was at the Chinese insistence there were no questions today.”

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 9, 2017

Former Obama press secretary Jay Carney said the move by Beijing is a test of “will and principle.”

“Letting them dictate press access is an embarrassing capitulation,” he tweeted.

The Chinese try this every time. It’s a test of will and principle. Letting them dictate press access is an embarrassing capitulation. https://t.co/uIaEWhcpgF

— Jay Carney (@JayCarney) November 9, 2017

{mosads}Trump often rails on the media, accusing networks and reporters of publishing “fake news.” 

He is currently on an Asia-Pacific trip during which he will meet with regional leaders with a heavy emphasis on curbing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

–This report was updated at 9:00 a.m.