American President Donald Trump on Wednesday linked a U.S.-China trade deal to Beijing treating Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters “humanely” and suggested he should meet face-to-face with President Xi Jinping.
“Of course China wants to make a deal,” Trump tweeted. “Let them work humanely with Hong Kong first!”
He added: “I know President Xi of China very well. He is a great leader who very much has the respect of his people. He is also a good man in a ‘tough business.’” I have ZERO doubt that if President Xi wants to quickly and humanely solve the Hong Kong problem, he can do it. Personal meeting?”
The tweets came after the U.S. State Department on Wednesday issued a travel warning for the region and expressed support for the demonstrators, saying it was “deeply concerned” about reports that Chinese forces had been moved to the Hong Kong border.
In recent days, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, China hands at both the National Security Council and the State Department and several economic advisers have pushed Trump to take a more assertive posture on the Hong Kong demonstrations, which have paralyzed the former British colony and roiled markets, but found little traction.
..deferral to December. It actually helps China more than us, but will be reciprocated. Millions of jobs are being lost in China to other non-Tariffed countries. Thousands of companies are leaving. Of course China wants to make a deal. Let them work humanely with Hong Kong first!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2019
I know President Xi of China very well. He is a great leader who very much has the respect of his people. He is also a good man in a “tough business.” I have ZERO doubt that if President Xi wants to quickly and humanely solve the Hong Kong problem, he can do it. Personal meeting?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2019