President Trump said he ordered last week’s Tomahawk missile attack over a dessert of chocolate cake with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump made the remarks in an interview broadcast Wednesday by Fox Business.

President Donald Trump: “We had finished dinner. We’re now having dessert. And we had the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen, and President Xi was enjoying it. … So what happens is, I said, ’We’ve just launched 59 missiles, heading to Iraq.’”

Maria Bartiromo: “Wait. Headed to Syria.”

President Donald Trump: “Yes, heading toward Syria. 'And I want you to know that.'”

President Trump’s comment came as he reversed his long-running campaign pledge to brand China as a currency manipulator. The U-turn came as Trump sought President Xi’s help in pressuring North Korea over its nuclear program. U.S. intelligence officials said Wednesday satellite photos show North Korea is making preparations for what could be its sixth nuclear weapons test.