President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the “financial situation” of voters was not a motivating factor to end the Iran war.
Speaking to the press before departing the White House for a visit to China, the president was asked how people’s financial situation was “motivating” negotiations to make a deal with Iran.
“Not even a little bit,” Trump said. “The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran: They can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody.
“I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all. That’s the only thing that motivates.”
Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, since the war began, has significantly raised global oil and gas prices.
Americans are now paying an average of $4.50 for a gallon of gas, according to AAA. But one year ago, they were paying nearly $3.14 for a gallon of gas.
In response to the increase, Trump called for suspending the federal gas tax on Monday.
The high cost of gas could threaten Republican chances of keeping control of the House and Senate during the midterm elections in November. Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill moved quickly to introduce legislation to pause the gas tax after Trump’s backing.
Trump’s eyebrow-raising comments also came on the same day that inflation rose to 3.8% for the year ending in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Yet Trump claimed the American public understands the need to deprive Iran of a nuclear weapon.
“They understand that Iran can not have a nuclear weapon. If Iran has a nuclear weapon, the whole world would be in trouble, because they happen to be crazy,” said Trump. “Now, if the stock market goes up or down a little bit, the American people understand.”
Trump also claimed oil prices would drop when the war ends.
“You’re going to see the stock market, which is already at the highest point in history, go through the roof,” he said. “You’re going to see a golden age of America, frankly.”
Over the weekend, Trump rejected a recent peace proposal from Tehran. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump are also expected to discuss the war this week during a two-day summit.
“Well, I think number one, we’re going to have a long talk about it,” Trump told reporters before departing with Beijing. “I think he’s been relatively good to be honestly, you look at the blockade, no problem.”
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Trump claimed the trip would be “exciting,” but cast doubt that the U.S. need Xi’s help to end the war.
“I don’t think we need any help with Iran,” he also conceded. “We’ll win it one way or the other. We’ll win it peacefully.”