GOP Senator Criticizes Donald Trump’s Hosting of Xi Jinping

Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina criticized President Donald Trump's decision to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner in an interview with CBS News. The retiring senator described the move as a "WTF moment," expressing concern over the trend of spending more time with despotic leaders compared to democratic allies. Tillis cited China's human rights abuses against the Uyghurs, espionage capabilities, and reports that the regime ruling Iran has used information from China to target U.S. military assets as reasons for his concern. He also questioned the administration's delay in shipping arms to Taiwan. While President Trump has described his relationship with Xi as a "truly great friendship," Senator Tillis pointed to Trump's campaign promises to be tough on China and questioned whether confidential information explains the shift in policy. He stated that he has seen no public basis for the significant change in the U.S. posture toward China.