Graham: America must "accept the pain related to the defense of China"

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamWhat would John McCain do? Sunday preview: China-White House trade war will not be cut by billions of dollars from foreign aid (R-S.C.) Said Sunday that "the pain of China's defense" was a necessary part of the ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing.

"All Democrats and Republicans have said China cheated," said Graham, one of President TrumpDonald John TrumpGraham: the United States must "accept the pain of China" "Weld" delighted "new Republicans defy Trump New challenges in data The economic story of Trump MOREThe most virulent allies of the Senate, said Margaret Brennan of CBS: "Face the Nation."

"Democrats have been claiming for years that we have to stand up to China. Now, Trump is, and we have to accept the pain related to the defense of China, "he added. "How to bring China to change without creating suffering for them and for us? I do not know."

Asked that the ongoing conflict would put a burden on his own constituents, Graham responded, "Some," adding, "Consumer prices of products will increase" because of tariffs on Chinese products. However, he said, "until that [the Chinese] feel the pain, they will not stop. … they will never do it until they feel a higher price. "

Graham assumed that the Chinese "had made a calculation" to wait for the US presidential election of 2020, but that "if Trump continues to queue", Beijing may not be able to wait for the United States.

"My fellow Democrats, he's doing what you call all these years," added Graham.

Graham's comments came shortly after Trump had suggested that he "regretted" the escalation of the trade war. The White House had made a statement shortly after claiming that Trump meant he "regretted not having increased tariffs."