Trump Cuts Ties with WHO, Not China (Comprehensive Report 2)

Announcement of Procedure to Revoke Hong Kong Special Status
US State Department Also Announces Revision of Hong Kong Travel Advisory
No Worst Measures Against China Such as Trade Agreement Termination
Declaration of Severing Relations with WHO

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The feared decisive blow did not occur. On the 29th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced the start of the procedure to revoke Hong Kong's special status in response to China's forced enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law) and declared that the relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) would also be terminated, but he did not make any extreme sudden remarks regarding the U.S.-China trade relations that had been a concern.

President Trump held a press conference at the White House Rose Garden that day and stated that the forced enactment of the Hong Kong Security Law was a breach of China's promise to guarantee Hong Kong's autonomy, saying, "It has made clear that Hong Kong is no longer sufficiently autonomous to justify the special treatment we have provided."

He criticized, "China has replaced the 'one country, two systems' principle with 'one country, one system,'" and said, "Therefore, I am instructing the administration to begin the process of removing the policy exemptions that provide special treatment to Hong Kong."

President Trump warned, "Today's announcement will affect almost all agreements we have with Hong Kong."

President Trump also expressed his intention to revise the State Department's travel advisory for Hong Kong and said that measures would be taken to abolish the preferential treatment provided to Hong Kong in tariffs and travel.

He emphasized, "The United States will also take necessary measures to sanction Chinese and Hong Kong officials directly or indirectly involved in the infringement of Hong Kong's autonomy."

After pointing out China's theft of industrial technology, President Trump said, "Today, I will issue a proclamation to better secure important university research in our country and to suspend the entry of foreign nationals from China who pose potential security threats." The New York Times mentioned that this measure involves expelling Chinese graduate students in the United States.

President Trump also mentioned that he had instructed a study on the special practices of Chinese companies listed on the U.S. stock market to protect the U.S. financial system and investors.

However, President Trump made no mention of the U.S.-China trade agreement that day. Earlier, he had stated that his views had changed since the agreement was reached in January, raising concerns about the possible termination of the hard-won Phase One U.S.-China trade agreement.

Instead, President Trump turned his criticism to the WHO, accusing it of siding with China. He declared, "Because it has failed to reform, we are today terminating our relationship with the WHO and redirecting funds to other parts of the world to meet urgent public health needs."

He continued, "China's cover-up triggered the global pandemic, and Chinese officials ignored WHO reporting obligations and pressured the WHO to mislead the world," he claimed.