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Trump Seeks Kissinger's Advice On Relations With China, Russia, Iran


Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger provided advice to President-elect Donald Trump on China, Russia, and Iran matters.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger provided advice to President-elect Donald Trump on China, Russia, and Iran matters.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump sought out the advice of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on China, Russia, Iran, and Europe, his office said on November 17.

Kissinger, 93, who served under former Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, is best known for opening the door to China after decades of isolating the Asian giant.

Kissinger has been willing to talk with Trump, but made no secret of favoring Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, and admitted that he expected her to win the White House race.

In an interview this month with The Atlantic magazine, Kissinger said that of the 2016 candidates, only Clinton shared America's "traditional, outward-looking, internationalist model."

The rise of Trump, who repeatedly questioned longtime U.S. alliances like NATO, means that "for the first time since the end of the Second World War, the future relationship of America to the world is not fully settled," Kissinger said.

Despite Kissinger's concerns, Trump's office said they had a "great meeting."

"I have tremendous respect for Dr. Kissinger and appreciate him sharing his thoughts with me," Trump said, adding without giving details that they discussed China, Russian, Iran, Europe, and broader world affairs.

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa

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