White House Told Officials to Go Easy on China Over Hong Kong
The Trump administration offered guidance to officials to maintain a measured response to antigovernment protests in Hong Kong over fears that any public statements favoring demonstrators would derail U.S. efforts to get a trade deal with China.
As hundreds of thousands of protesters began taking to the streets of Hong Kong starting in June, administration officials were working to revive their collapsed trade talks with Beijing. Hong Kong is facing its worst political turmoil since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, with marches drawing massive crowds initially demanding a full withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill. Activists had begun targeting other symbols of China’s presence in Hong Kong—including a high-speed rail station that links the city to the mainland.
“It was made clear down the chain that we need to be measured on Hong Kong,” one administration official said, noting that the guidance came from “the top” over concern that fragile talks with China might be jeopardized by any outward show of support for the protests.
The actions reflect the administration’s foreign-policy moves that prioritize Mr. Trump’s interest in safeguarding relationships where he sees opportunity for personal, economic or political gain, sometimes going against the will of allies and even lawmakers within his own Republican Party.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-tells-officials-to-go-easy-on-china-over-hong-kong-11564607899
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