WASHINGTON �� President Donald Trump Sunday issued a rare direct rebuke of Vladimir Putin, blaming the Russian leader and Iran for making possible a deadly chemical attack against Syrian civilians, allegedly carried out by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"Big price to pay," Trump wrote on Twitter.
"Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria," he wrote. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad."
At least 40 people reportedly died in the attack in the town of Douma, where Syrian forces have been carrying out an offensive. Gruesome images have emerged on social media, some of them showing suffocated children. The toll, reported by Syrian opposition activists and first responders, could not be independently confirmed.
Also Sunday, the president wrote on Twitter that he expected resolution of a trade confrontation with China, but did not say how that would come about. However, he cited his "close" relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"President Xi and I will always be friends, no matter what happens with our dispute on trade. China will take down its Trade Barriers because it is the right thing to do," Trump wrote.
