"Not Satisfied with China" Emphasized
Kudlow, NEC Chairman: "China's Big Mistake... Will Be Held Accountable"
Close Aides Mention Possible Adjustment of Sanctions Level
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] As expected, the National People's Congress (NPC) of China passed the draft of the Hong Kong National Security Law, and the United States is coordinating the specific level of sanctions. U.S. President Donald Trump said, "I don't like China," and announced a press conference on the 29th (local time). At this event, the U.S. response policy and whether to impose sanctions are expected to be announced. Some predict that the measures will be more of a warning rather than substantial sanctions.
On the 28th, President Trump answered a reporter's question in the Oval Office at the White House about whether the "U.S.-China trade agreement will definitely be maintained," saying, "We will announce tomorrow what we intend to do regarding China." Earlier, President Trump had warned that if China forcibly enacts the Hong Kong security law, he would announce a response plan within this week.
President Trump did not elaborate further but repeatedly emphasized his displeasure with China. Referring to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), he said, "We don't like what China has done," and mentioned, "186 countries around the world are suffering."
Attention is focused on the level of sanctions the U.S. will impose. Larry Kudlow, Director of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), reiterated a tough stance on China. In an interview with CNBC on the same day, he said, "China has made a big mistake," warning, "They will be held accountable, and if necessary, Hong Kong may have to be treated the same way as China." Earlier this week, Kudlow had strongly warned about the enactment of the Hong Kong security law in an interview with Fox News.
David Stilwell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, also warned the day before that "the U.S. can take all possible measures."
However, some predict that the level of sanctions will be lower than expected. The LA Times, citing sources, introduced that close aides such as former White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon expect President Trump to impose relatively mild sanctions on China. The Times predicted that U.S. sanctions would be at the level of restricting Hong Kong residents' U.S. visit visas and blocking China's access to international financial markets.
The aides said that President Trump wants to lower the level of conflict with China and also wants to maintain the first-phase trade agreement. The fact that President Trump said he would respond a day after the passage of the Hong Kong security law can be interpreted as indicating significant internal deliberation.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reported to Congress that Hong Kong does not enjoy a high degree of autonomy from China, so if the U.S. wishes, it can revoke Hong Kong's special status at any time. If President Trump chooses mild sanctions, the U.S.-China conflict may ease somewhat, but if a tough response is chosen, the backlash is expected to be severe.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
