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By Robert Birsel
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President Donald Trump held a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News program 60 Minutes on Sunday.
Following are some notable comments on major foreign policy issues for the White House.
Venezuela
Asked if the United States was going to war with Venezuela, Trump said: “I doubt it. I don't think so. But they've been treating us very badly, not only on drugs—they've dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our country that we didn't want, people from prisons.”
Five foreign policy issues put to Trump in ‘60 Minutes’ interview More on News
Asked if President Nicolas Maduro's days were numbered, Trump told 60 Minutes' Norah O'Donnell: “I would say yeah. I think so, yeah.”
Gaza
Trump rejected the suggestion that the Gaza ceasefire was fragile.
“It's not fragile. It's a very solid…. you hear about Hamas, but Hamas could be taken out immediately if they don't behave. They know that. If they don't behave they're going to be taken out immediately.
On a long-term solution, he said: “I don't know if it's going be two-state. That's going to be up to Israel and other people, and me.”
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Taiwan
Asked if the United Stats would use its forces to defend Taiwan, Trump said: “You'll find out if it happens. And he understands the answer to that,” referring to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Trump said China would not invade self-ruled Taiwan as long as he was in office, because Xi understood what would happen if they did.
“I don't want to give away, I can't give away my secrets…but they understand what's going to happen. And he has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings: ‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences.”
Rare Earth Minerals
Asked about China’s domination of the processing and supply of essential rare earths, Trump said: “Within a short period of time we'll have everything we need for ourselves…. We've instituted an emergency program, and…within a year from now to a year and a half, we'll have everything we need.”
He pointed to partnerships with other countries in rare earth production.
“First of all, you saw the partnerships we've established with Japan, with Australia, with U.K., with just about everybody, frankly. And we're all doing it together,” he said.
Computer Chips
On the production of advanced computer chips, the president said his policy on tariffs meant producers were locating to the United States.
“Within two years from now, we'll have 40 percent or 50 percent of the chip market. What's happening here, the biggest companies are leaving Taiwan. They're coming into the United States because of tariffs…. I think in two years, we'll start opening up plants and we'll have a very substantial portion of the chip market.”
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