Ron DeSantis wasn’t surprised to see California Gov. Gavin Newsom meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week – claiming the leaders are ‘two peas in a pod.’

The Florida governor and 2024 hopeful told DailyMail.com that Newsom and Xi had similar harsh approaches when it came to oppressing those they govern or lead in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DeSantis is highly critical of Newsom’s trip to China, and says it sends the wrong message that America is willing to ‘grovel’ at the feet of the authoritarian leader as tensions continue to rise between China and Russia with the west.

On Wednesday, Gov. Newsom became the first governor in more than four years to travel to China and the first since 2017 to meet with Xi. The last to meet with Xi was then-California Gov. Jerry Brown.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told DailyMail.com that California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Chinese President Xi Jinping are 'two peas in a pod' when it comes to harsh COVID lockdowns. The 2024 hopeful said he is 'ready' for the debate with Newsom next month

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told DailyMail.com that California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Chinese President Xi Jinping are ‘two peas in a pod’ when it comes to harsh COVID lockdowns. The 2024 hopeful said he is ‘ready’ for the debate with Newsom next month

The trip was sold as a way to discuss with Chinese officials climate action, economic development and human rights concerns.

But critics say the optics of the meeting are highly concerning.

‘When I saw the photos, the thing that came to my mind was – you know, these are guys that are two peas in the pod with respect to COVID, draconian COVID policies,’ DeSantis told DailyMail.com when discussing his thoughts when he found out Newsom went to China to meet with Xi.

‘They both had very lengthy lock downs, curtailed people’s ability to work, go to school, all that,’ the Florida governor added when speaking in Las Vegas, Nevada.

‘I know California because a lot of people fled to Florida because of what he did.’

Many 2024 candidates, including DeSantis, see China as the largest emerging threat against America when it comes to both national security and competition.

Newsom, although not running for president in the Democratic 2024 primary, will debate DeSantis next month.

The two plan to meet in Georgia on November 30 for a 90-minute debate sanctioned by Fox News and hosted by their longtime commentator Sean Hannity.

‘We’re ready [to debate],’ DeSantis told DailyMail.com on Saturday. ‘It’ll be fun, it will be a good debate for the country to have.’

Gov. Newsom (left) met with Xi (right) on Wednesday – becoming the first U.S. governor to go to China in more than four years amidst rising tensions with the communist state

Gov. Newsom (left) met with Xi (right) on Wednesday – becoming the first U.S. governor to go to China in more than four years amidst rising tensions with the communist state

The debate will come after the third Republican face-off in Miami, Florida on November 8.

Following his backstage interview with DailyMail.com, DeSantis spoke with Nevada Republicans during a breakfast at the Treasure Island Casino and Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

Then he went across the street to the Venetian for remarks at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Summit – happening just weeks after Hamas terrorists launched their brutal attack on Israel.

DeSantis is among the top eight GOP candidates speaking at the annual conference.

The others are former President Donald Trump, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

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