He said what? In the long and ever expanding list of jaw droppers, Donald Trump let loose a real doozy today. The president is in China where amid pomp and pageantry, communism and chicanery, he decided to praise the country he has long loathed (or maybe secretly admired.)

When given the opportunity to confront the Chinese leadership in Beijing today on trade, or any of a hundred other contentious issues, he instead folded like a cheap tent and praised them, especially President Xi. What? Yes, you read that right. America’s Chief bully, who for years has trashed China at every possible opportunity, lashed out at them for stealing jobs, technology and taking advantage of anything American, suddenly says he gives China great credit. “Who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country,” Trump said. Well, you did, for years. “I give China great credit,” the President continued, to the audible gasps of those in attendance. More from Quartz.