WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says there has been “no folding” in his trade negotiations with China, as he addresses his efforts to help a Chinese telecommunications company that violated U.S. sanctions.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday, “Nothing has happened with ZTE except as it pertains to the larger trade deal.”

He added, “There has been no folding as the media would love people to believe.”

Trump tweeted his support for ZTE earlier this week, putting the president at odds with the Commerce Department and its decision to impose trade restrictions on the company amid allegations it violated U.S. sanctions.

Critics say the company poses a national security risk. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., questioned how the U.S. would be able to enforce the “cancellation” of the Iran deal “if we are not going to be enforcing it on companies in powerful countries that are helping Iran evade sanctions already.”