It’s often hard to know whether to be amused or infuriated by American politicians. They say things that can be blatantly absurd yet profoundly sinister. Consider US President Joe Biden’s explanation of why he is continuing sanctions started by his predecessor Donald Trump against Hong Kong and some of its officials. “Recent actions taken by the People’s Republic of China to fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States,” Biden said. Seriously? Maybe you are supportive or critical of what Beijing is doing in Hong Kong. Maybe you think the Hong Kong government is helping or harming the city. But how can what the central and local governments are doing in Hong Kong, universally recognised as a Chinese territory, “pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy” of the US? I know politicians are often inclined to exaggerate and make statements with hyperboles. But they are still constrained by grammar and meaning. What Biden is saying is that the domestic laws and policies administered by Chinese/Hong Kong officials in the city can somehow seriously threaten America’s interests as he understands it. Will he send in the US marines to Hong Kong or bomb Beijing? I have no doubt that if China were a banana republic, that’s what the Americans would do, or have been doing for two centuries in the Caribbean and South America. But someone should point out to Biden that he is not dealing with a banana republic; and more competent and sensible policies are needed to define and defend America’s security and economic interests. The great Henry Kissinger once said all countries have national interests, but America has global interests. That’s the hegemon talking. But if you are going to talk and walk like the alpha, you better make sure you still have the muscles for the job. And America has lately been rather lax and undisciplined at the gym. Afghanistan, anyone? Prominent US businesspeople with decades of experience working in Hong Kong have spoken out against Biden’s new advisory warning against doing business in the city, calling it a “crazy and counterproductive” move that would only make life more difficult for them. Mr President, listen to your own expatriate citizens. You are the one threatening their businesses and US interests in Hong Kong.