President Trump spoke highly of China while visiting the country on Thursday, despite having once called China an “economy enemy.”

During a joint meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign some new business deals – worth $250 billion – Trump spoke of trade imbalances and said, “I don’t blame China. After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit.”

Instead, the president blamed those before him “for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place and grow.”

According to Trump, he has a “very warm” relationship with Xi and they have “great chemistry.” The Chinese leader did not give the same level of praise.

Later in the afternoon, Rex Tillerson, the Secretary of State, told reporters at his own Beijing news conference that Trump’s comments were “a little bit tongue in cheek.”

The president is halfway through a 12-day trip around Asia. Thus far, the focus has been on North Korea. He is set to visit Vietnam next and will attend an economic conference while there.

Featured Image: twitter