WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (June 3) he was not considering placing sanctions on Chinese President Xi Jinping personally over Beijing's push to impose national security legislation in Hong Kong.

Mr Trump on Friday ordered his administration to begin the process of eliminating special US treatment for Hong Kong to punish China and said Washington would also impose sanctions on individuals seen as responsible for "smothering - absolutely smothering - Hong Kong's freedom."

"I haven't thought of that," Mr Trump said on Wednesday when asked in an interview on Newsmax TV whether he was thinking about imposing sanctions on Mr Xi.

Asked about his relationship with Mr Xi, Mr Trump said: "Haven't spoken to him in a while. It was very good."

He praised a trade agreement the two countries signed in January, but criticised Beijing for the novel coronavirus pandemic, which began in China.

"China should have never let it happen," Mr Trump said.

China said on Monday US attempts to harm Chinese interests would be met with firm countermeasures.