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Trump Not Ruling Out Iraq Sanctions

Steve Herman

   DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday did not
   rule out future sanctions against Iraq, but cited what he called "a
   very good relationship" when asked about potential plans for
   withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq.

   "We'll see what happens, because we do have to do things on our terms,"
   Trump told reporters in Davos, Switzerland as he met with Iraqi
   President Barham Salih.
   WATCH: President Trump Press Conference LIVE in Davos

   Iraq's parliament passed a resolution urging the government to expel
   U.S. troops from the country, prompting Trump to respond with a threat
   not to leave unless Iraq reimburses the United States for a U.S.
   airbase there.

   He said Wednesday 5,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, and that his
   administration will "make a determination" about their future.

   Salih highlighted the United States and Iraq as being partners in the
   war against Islamic State militants, and said he and Trump share the
   goal of a "stable, sovereign Iraq that is at peace with itself and at
   peace with its neighbors."

   The Iraqi parliament's demand for U.S. forces to get out was a protest
   against the U.S. drone attack at the Baghdad airport that killed Iran's
   top general, Qassem Soleimani.

   Trump also held talks Wednesday with the president of Iraq's Kurdistan
   region, Nechirvan Barzani, on the final day of his trip to Davos to
   attend the World Economic Forum.

   In a speech at the event Tuesday, Trump touted the conclusion of two
   major trade deals and declared Americans are "winning again like never
   before."

   Trump went through a list of what he celebrated as victories for middle
   class workers and companies, including the first phase of a trade deal
   with China and the Senate's approval of a new trade agreement with
   Canada and Mexico.

   He also kept track of the historic proceedings in the U.S. Senate where
   he is on trial on a charge of abuse of power and another of obstruction
   of Congress.

   Trump expressed confidence in his legal team hours before the start of
   opening statements, saying, "We have a great case."