Donald Trump tries to outflank Congress as pressure grows on China
- The vice-president is set to give a harsh speech as lawmakers press for stronger action to protect Hong Kong protests
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Adam Behsudi on politico.com on October 23, 2019.
Republican lawmakers are set to face off against President Donald Trump as they push for approval of a Hong Kong human rights bill that could further upend relations with China and derail a preliminary trade deal.
“We need to send a clear signal that we stand with the people of Hong Kong and if they [China] go in by military force against the agreement they had in 1997, we’ll respond in the most fierce way,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
New enthusiasm for the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act among the president’s closest congressional allies is a further test to the White House’s efforts to stay one-step ahead of the anti-China sentiment brewing on Capitol Hill.
The Hong Kong legislation, which was passed last week in the House by a voice vote, would require the administration to deliver annual reports assessing whether the territory is autonomous enough from Beijing to justify its special trading status.
It would also place economic sanctions on people accused of violating the terms of Hong Kong’s autonomy from mainland China that was agreed to in 1997 when the territory was handed over by the United Kingdom.