
Thousands of copies of former United StatesPresident Donald Trump's "God Bless the USA" Bible were printed in China, a country that hehas repeatedly accused of stealing American jobs and engaging in unfair trade practices, according to a report by theAssociated Press (AP).
According to the global trade records reviewed by the AP, a printing company in China's eastern city of Hangzhou shipped close to 120,000 of the Bibles to the US earlier this year.
Reportedly, the estimated value of the three separate shipments was $342,000 or less than $3 per Bible, according to databases that track exports and imports.
Moreover, the minimum price for the Trump-backed Bible is $59.99, keeping the potential sales revenue at nearly $7 million.
The connection between the former US president’s Bible and China explained Trump's harsh anti-China rhetoric and his efforts to raise money for election campaigning.
The Trump campaign, however, did not respond to emails and calls for comment on the matter.
The former US president posted a video on his Truth Social platform in March announcing a partnership with country singer Lee Greenwood to hawk Bibles, inspired by Greenwood’s hit song “God Bless the USA.”
Trump, in his video, blended religion with his campaign message as he urged viewers to buy the Bible.
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“This Bible is a reminder that the biggest thing we have to bring back in America, and to make America great again, is our religion,” Trump said.
However, the former US presidentdid not mention where the "God Bless the USA” Bibles were printed, how much they cost, or how much he earns per sale.
Moreover, the"God Bless the USA” Bibles are sold exclusively through a website that states it is not affiliated with any political campaign nor is it owned or controlled by Trump.
According to the website, the Republican presidential candidate's name and image are used under a paid license from CIC Ventures, a company Trump reported owning in a financial disclosure released in August.
Trump has been slamming China for being an obstacle to America's economic success, slapping hefty tariffs on Chinese imports. He has also blamed China for the COVID-19 outbreak and recently suggested, without evidence, that Chinese immigrants are flooding the US to build an “army” and attack the US.
(With inputs from agencies)