Trump Says He Would Handle U.S. Trade Talks

Donald Trump attacked the trade policies of several U.S. allies Sunday and said that, as president, he would personally handle the nation’s trade talks.

Among his comments during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” the New York developer who is considering a bid for the Reform Party’s presidential nomination said:

* France is “a terrible partner.”

* Japan is “ripping us big league.”

* Germany “wants to take over the world economically. They failed militarily.”

* Saudi Arabians “have boats bigger than any boats you’ve ever seen. They have houses all over the world, including Palm Beach. . . . This is getting a little ridiculous. I mean, the money they make.”

In criticizing the Clinton administration trade policies, Trump said the evidence of Clinton’s poor negotiating skills can be found in his personal business deals.

“I do a deal a minute, and the one deal he did was Whitewater,” Trump said, referring to Clinton’s failed Arkansas land development. Trump also said the Clintons paid too much for a house they recently purchased in New York’s Westchester County for $1.7 million.

“I know the house. My people know the house,” he said. “They came up to me, they said, ‘Why did he pay so much?’ I said, ‘I don’t know.’ So why do we give everything away to Japan?”

If Trump enters the Reform Party campaign, a principal opponent will be former television commentator Patrick J. Buchanan.

Asked about Trump’s declaration that he would appoint himself trade negotiator, Buchanan jibed in a separate television interview Sunday: “I think the Donald would be much better off at . . . [the Department of] Housing and Urban Development.”

During the interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Buchanan also signaled that he will run an economically populist campaign by indicating his support for raising the minimum wage and allowing patients to sue their health maintenance organizations--two positions anathema to many conservatives.

But Buchanan also emphasized the other half of his unique political blend, striking staunchly conservative notes on social issues. He reiterated his commitment, if elected, to appointing Supreme Court justices who would overturn the legal right to abortion and said local public school districts should be free to teach creationism and other religious studies.

“I would prefer that children have a voluntary right to be taught the Bible in public school or the Torah, or anything as long as its voluntary,” he said.

Buchanan also defended the flying of the Confederate flag over the state Capitol in South Carolina and firmly denied charges that some of his writings reflect anti-Semitic attitudes. “I will say this into the camera,” Buchanan declared. “Jewish Americans are in my campaign. They are welcome to this cause.”