Posted on 11/27/2019 10:02:10 AM PST by SeekAndFind
US President Donald Trump said an interim trade agreement with China was moving closer following Tuesday’s telephone call between the countries’ top negotiators, but added that he was monitoring events in Hong Kong after months of anti-government protests in the city.
“We’re in the final throes of a very important deal,” Trump said at the White House. “It’s going very well, but at the same time we want to see it go well in Hong Kong.”
His comments on Tuesday came hours after a phone conversation between Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He and the United States’ Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. China’s Ministry of Commerce disclosed the call on Tuesday, saying the two sides had “reached a consensus” on how to resolve core concerns and would continue to work on remaining issues related to their trade war, ongoing since July last year.
Trump said he expected Chinese President Xi Jinping to ensure a positive outcome for Hong Kong, which has been gripped by unrest for almost six months. The city has emerged as an acute point of tension in US-China relations as they negotiate over the trade deal.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act – which could pave the way for diplomatic action and economic sanctions against the Hong Kong government – is on the brink of becoming law after being passed by the US Congress, but China has said it amounts to interference in its affairs and demanded its progress be halted, threatening “strong countermeasures”.
Trump did not indicate whether he would sign the democracy bill, but said he remained positive about a “phase one” trade deal, which the US announced last month was being pursued as an interim de-escalation mechanism.
(Excerpt) Read more at scmp.com ...
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https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3789661/posts
Hard to believe the Chinese will ever abide by any deal, with no respect to enforcement measures.
I think the crippling tariffs are the best course of action, at least for the foreseeable future.
If nothing else, the tariffs are putting the United States ahead of the game by imposing verifiable economic impacts for both sides.
Wonder what the consequences will be if President Trump eventually signs that legislation, passed overwhelmingly by both chambers of congress, to side with those protesting for human rights in Hong Kong???
If PDJT signs, it will alienate Xi. If he doesn’t, he’s likely facing his first override vote, which would be problematic.
Trump should ask Congress to pass again by a veto-proof majority. So simple!
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes, LOL! as it was written by Virgil regarding the Trojan horse - or was it the Trojan bug?
Translation: he’s using the threat of making Xi’s life more difficult in HK as leverage to get the trade deal done.
RE: Wonder what the consequences will be if President Trump eventually signs that legislation, passed overwhelmingly by both chambers of congress, to side with those protesting for human rights in Hong Kong???
If he signs the bill, I don’t think China can do a darn thing. What will they do? Just cancel the trade talks over a bill?
They already have the means to stop all these protests — FREE ELECTIONS.
The HK people, when given the chance to vote ( as they did last week for LOCAL elections ) are law abiding and will not rebel. Notice how the street protests have stopped since last Friday.
All China has to do is give the Citizens of HK the autonomy they want and all will be peaceful. The ball is on China’s court.
Now, if for some stupid, arrogant, prideful reason, China makes the signing of the bill an issue for discontinuing the trade talks, what will happen to the US economy?
Not much I think. The main effect would be the plunging of the stock market which has been soaring to new heights even as we speak. But this will be temporary as the most important factor for companies in the S&P 500 is PROFITS and EARNINGS. I don’t see these being much affected by China at all. They need the trade deal more than we need them.
They need the trade deal more than we need them.
Very cogent analysis of the Hong Kong situation!
The most destabilizing ramification will be a dive in the stock market, as you point out. Hopefully, there would be a quick rebound, since we dare not have a pronounced downturn on Wall Street as next year’s election ramps up.
Getting this Phase One trade deal done with China—and finally having Pelosi allow the USMCA to be put to a floor vote—would indeed be feathers in PDJT’s cap as he solidifies his reelection!!!
RE: e One trade deal done with China—and finally having Pelosi allow the USMCA to be put to a floor vote
You mentioned Pelosi and THAT is the problem. Her party is all about obstructing everything Trump does. Their priority is not trade, infrastructure, the economy,healthcare or anything else but impeachment.
The HK bill has no teeth. It is a PR feel good exercisae to give attention to the hK situation as they are getting a raw deal
Use the HK Bill as leverage to get a trade deal done.
Nancy realizes she has to pas the Canada/Mex deal and read that it goes up next week to be done by end of year. She and her crew will add a tweak or two, so they can say they did so much for American worker and that Trump is not a great negotiator. blah blah
BUT he walks into re-election with a red-hot economy, 2 solid trade deals, Dow Jones @ 32,000 against a Left Wing Nut case that can only pander w/ giveaways.
Got to like those odds, then confirm more Judges and 2 more Supreme Court judges over next 5 years.
Why all their heads are exploding as the Cold Civil War could be over by 2024
[If he signs the bill, I don’t think China can do a darn thing. What will they do? Just cancel the trade talks over a bill?]
it appears that we have a genuine President in our WH
Instead of watching Hong Kong we should be watching our society being destroyed day after day right here. And stop it somehow.
Per Fox Business News, it was good to see representatives from both Mexico and Canada meeting today in D.C. exert pressure on “Nervous Nancy” to do whatever it takes to finalize USMCA passage.
Sounded like progress had been made and that remaining sticking points were being ironed out.
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