The United States is seeking to retake control of Bagram airbase from the Taliban, Donald Trump has said, bringing back a key strategic asset that was surrendered during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump also claimed at the time that China was occupying the airfield. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the airfield was controlled by Afghanistan, not China. Trump said: “The one that I thought would be easiest … because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down. He’s really let me down … I thought it might be among the easiest of the group.”