China to Trump: 'You are among us and we are among you'

(Image credit: Christopher Gregory/Getty Images)

Donald Trump identified many enemies of America in his speech Tuesday announcing his presidential run, but perhaps none was more loathed than China.

"People say you don't like China. No, I love them. But their leaders are much smarter than our leaders," Trump said. "And we can't sustain ourselves with that. It's like, take the New England Patriots and Tom Brady and have them play your high school football team."

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang responded:

"Economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States has grown to such an extent today that it has become like 'You are among us and we are among you,'" Lu said. "It's a two-way win-win situation. Such trade has actually given the two sides great benefits."

The United States and China, which share strong economic ties, are in talks on an investment treaty.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.