Bloomberg: "Trump Does Not Want to Sanction Chinese Officials"

"Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive, Rejects Sanctions"
Outwardly Criticizes China Strongly While Internally Opposing Sanctions Against China

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Bloomberg News reported on the 15th (local time) that U.S. President Donald Trump does not want to worsen relations with China and does not want additional sanctions on officials beyond the current level.

The news agency cited sources, reporting that President Trump has expressed to his aides his intention not to take further actions that would worsen relations with China.

The agency quoted anonymous sources saying, "Authorities had prepared a sanctions list including Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive, and Han Zheng, Vice Premier of China, but President Trump made a decision against it."

This means that although President Trump signed a bill sanctioning Chinese and Hong Kong officials involved in the enactment and enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, he opposes actually enforcing it.

The day before, President Trump signed an executive order to revoke Hong Kong's special status and a bill sanctioning banks that deal with those threatening Hong Kong's autonomy, criticizing China broadly over the Hong Kong National Security Law and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The news agency pointed out that this decision is President Trump's personal choice, showing a tough stance on China externally while internally holding a different position.