President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE took aim at Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Pelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt Schumer lashes out at Trump over 'blue states' remark: 'What a disgrace' MORE (D-N.Y.) on Thursday over the stalled negotiations surrounding the partial government shutdown, remarking to reporters that diplomats from China were "more honorable" than the Democrats.

In comments to reporters before boarding Marine One, Trump touted his administration's progress on the U.S.'s trade dispute with China, which entered a one-month truce in January as the two sides attempt to resolve their differences.

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"We have a lot of great things happening. The economy is incredible," the president told reporters. "We're negotiating and having tremendous success with China, and I find China, frankly, in many ways, to be far more honorable than cryin' Chuck and Nancy."

"China is actually much easier to deal with than the opposition party," Trump added, referring to Democrats in Congress who have been unwilling to provide the $5.7 billion the White House has requested in border wall and security funding.

Trump's comments came as a partial shutdown that began in December stretched into its 20th day, as federal agencies struggle to operate amid funding shortages while keeping essential systems afloat.

Democrats emerged from a White House meeting on Wednesday complaining of a "temper tantrum" thrown by the president, who they said stormed out after they refused his latest demand for funding to build a border wall.

Trump told Democrats last week that he was prepared to keep the federal government partially shut down for months or even "years" over the dispute surrounding wall funding. This week he has shifted his threats to the possibility of declaring a national emergency in order to reallocate funds to the border.