Hong Kong protest row could give Donald Trump another card to play against China – but will he use it?
- While US president says he ‘understood the reason for the demonstration’, many observers are sceptical about whether he will take concrete action
- Controversial proposal to allow extradition to mainland China could complicate efforts to reach a trade deal if Trump chooses to raise the issue when he meets Xi Jinping at the G20 summit later this month
The controversy over this week’s protests in Hong Kong could become another complication in the already tense relationship between China and the United States if US President Donald Trump brings it up with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this month.
But many observers questioned whether the US leader would take concrete action, even if it gave the United States another card to play.
On Wednesday Trump commented on the mass protests against the proposed bill that would allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China.
During a White House meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Trump said he understood “the reason for the demonstration”.
But he went on to say: “I’m sure they’ll be able to work it out. I hope they’re going to be able to work it out with China.”
Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said earlier on Wednesday that Trump might raise the issue with Xi when the two leaders meet at the G20 summit in Japan at the end of this month.