Posted on 11/27/2019 3:31:33 PM PST by MassMinuteman
President Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act on Wednesday, reaffirming U.S. support for the city's autonomy after months of pro-democracy protests.
Why it matters: The bill, which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House, serves as a major rebuke of China at a time when Washington and Beijing are engaged in critical trade talks. China has warned that it will take retaliatory measures if the bill becomes law.
Between the lines: Even if Trump had declined to sign the bill, it would still likely have the two-thirds support in Congress necessary to override a veto. In a statement acknowledging the signing, Trump noted that certain aspects of the bill would "interfere" with his "constitutional authority to state the foreign policy of the United States."
"I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong. They are being enacted in the hope that Leaders and Representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all." — President Trump
(Excerpt) Read more at axios.com ...
“Let’s be honest. This bill was submitted only to derail Trump’s sensitive trade talks with China.”
Idiotic comment.
True, but the Chinese Communist Party will only honor a treaty as long as it serves the Party’s interests.
This bill increases the cost of breaking the treaty, but only slightly. In my opinion, the Party will tolerate instability in Hong Kong as long as they can use it. Use the demonstrations to illustrate the “chaotic” and “dangerous” conditions created when the Party is not firmly in control.
However, if the demonstrations begin to undermine, however slightly, the Party’s control over the mainland, they will crush them without a second thought. International condemnation and a few hundred or a few thousand dead demonstrators is a small price to pay for maintaining Party domination.
And he’s gonna turn the tales on them...
More people agree with me than disagree on this thread! Jokes on you!
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