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Trump says United States is disrespected

Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart and co-owner of the Miss Universe Pageant Donald Trump (R) meet with the Miss Universe 2010 contestants at the Events Center in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 22, 2010. The Miss Universe 2010 competition will air live on the NBC Television Network at 9 PM ET. UPI/Patrick Prather/HO
Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart and co-owner of the Miss Universe Pageant Donald Trump (R) meet with the Miss Universe 2010 contestants at the Events Center in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 22, 2010. The Miss Universe 2010 competition will air live on the NBC Television Network at 9 PM ET. UPI/Patrick Prather/HO | License Photo

ATLANTA, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Billionaire Donald Trump says the United States is a "laughingstock" and that he would make an announcement by June that "may surprise people."

"I love this country," Trump said on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" Wednesday. "I hate what's happened to this country. We're a laughingstock throughout the world. We're not respected."

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Trump said in November he is considering running for president.

Trump said if elected he would impose a 25 percent tax on all Chinese imports and that he wouldn't let the Organization for the Petroleum Exporting Countries continually raise prices on oil.

"The first thing I would do is announce very strongly that we're going to tax Chinese products -- 25 percent tax on all Chinese products. They will come to the table immediately and stop manipulating their currency, which they're doing," he said.

"I see them as the enemy. They want to take over this country economically. They are not really out-competing. They are cheating. And we have people who don't know what to do, because we have the wrong people in office."

Trump also criticized OPEC.

"Worse than China is OPEC," he said. "They set the price of fuel. They set the price of $3.50 for your car right now, a gallon. Guess what that's going to be? $5, $6 and $7 very soon."

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Forbes magazine said Trump is worth an estimated $2 billion, with much of his money made in New York City's real estate market. He is reportedly paid $3 million for each episode of the television series "The Apprentice."

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