SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in China to meet with leaders, during his final stop on his trip to Asia. President Trump responded to criticism of his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, calling the negative coverage "fake news."
Friday night, government officials told media the Department of Justice delivered its report on the president's wiretapping claims to House and Senate investigators, with two officials telling media it showed no proof of the accusations made by Pres. Trump.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with Chinese leaders
-- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in China Saturday to meet with leaders, Tillerson's final stop on his first visit to Asia that included stops in Japan and South Korea.
Chinese leaders took the opportunity to caution Tillerson on potential inflammatory comments that pre-emptive action could be considered against North Korea should they, "elevate the threat of their weapons program," according to CNN.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi urged Tillerson and the White House to, "come back to the right track of a negotiated settlement."
Tillerson said Friday that the White House did, "not believe that conditions are right to engage in any talks at this time." Though Saturday, Tillerson said he would work with China to, "bring North Korea to a different place where we are hopeful we can begin a dialogue."
Tillerson will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Tillerson's comments come on the heels of tweets from President Trump that North Korea has been "playing" the United States.
North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been "playing" the United States for years. China has done little to help!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2017
Trump shakes of handshake moment
-- President Donald Trump downplayed a viral moment during his first visit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, where reporters requested the two leaders shake hands.
President Trump tweeted Saturday morning that despite the "fake news" coverage of the awkward snub, his meeting with the German leader went well.
Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Nevertheless, Germany owes.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2017
...vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2017
Reporters were present Friday when President Trump welcomed Chancellor Merkel to the White House, snapping photos and asking quick questions while the two sat. When reporters requested the two shake hands for a photo opp however, the president did not respond.
Video of the incident began making waves on the internet, as people began pointing out the difference in composure between the president and other world leaders he has met.
ICYMI
Justice Department report shows no proof of wiretapping, Trump stands by claim
-- Officials told CNN Friday that a report from the Department of Justice to House and Senate investigators showed no proof of wiretapping by former President Barack Obama against President Trump during the latter's 2016 campaign.
"The Department of Justice has complied with the request from leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and Judiciary Committees seeking information related to surveillance during the 2016 election," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said Friday.
Two government officials told CNN that the report provided no proof, ahead of the report's reading by investigators.
Trump stood by his claim Friday during his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"At least we have something in common, perhaps," Trump said, motioning to Merkel in reference to how the US National Security Agency had tapped the German leader's phone in the past.
