The long (American) arm of the law: how Huawei CFO’s arrest reopened an old wound in China-US relations
- Sabrina Meng Wanzhou and her company are the latest to be encircled by America’s ‘long-arm jurisdiction’
- Case stirs debate in China over how the US enforces its laws against foreign businesses and individuals
The high-profile arrest in Canada and possible extradition to the United States of the chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei has stirred debate over how the US enforces its domestic laws against foreign businesses and individuals.
There are few details around the December 1 detention of Sabrina Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver’s airport at the request of the US, but what is known is that Washington is seeking Meng’s extradition on fraud charges related to alleged breaches of US and European Union sanctions on Iran.
Meng, 46, who was arrested by Canadian authorities on her way from Hong Kong to Mexico, was released on C$10 million (US$7.5 million) bail on Tuesday. She is to return to court on February 6 to set a date for her extradition hearing.
From the outset, the case prompted a furious reaction from China. The foreign ministry described Meng’s treatment as “vile” and warned of “grave consequences” against Ottawa unless the executive was released.
