Sanction Showdown Between China and the US Over Hong Kong
Trump announced fresh sanctions in protest of China’s security law for Hong Kong, aimed at condemning China’s “suffocating behavior.” In response to the new US sanctions, China is in turn sanctioning American individuals and institutions.
Donald Trump, the US President, signed a new document announcing fresh sanction measures against the People’s Republic of China. These regulations are in protest of a new “security law” that China has implemented in the Hong Kong region.
Trump said at the White House that China’s “suffocating behaviors” should not go unanswered. The new legal document allows US officials and institutions to penalize individuals or foundations associated with “suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong.” The US Senate and House of Representatives had previously approved these sanctions.
The new sanctions include freezing the assets of individuals in the United States and preventing them from entering the country. A number of foreign banks that, in the US view, are complying with China’s directives in violating Hong Kong’s autonomy are also subject to sanctions measures. For example, American financial institutions are prohibited from extending credit to such banks.
Trump announced that Hong Kong no longer enjoys a special status for the United States and all its privileges are being revoked. From now on, America will not grant Hong Kong special privileges, economic exemptions, or sensitive technologies, and will treat it “like part of China.”
Donald Trump, in his latest remarks, spoke harshly about China and told CBS news channel in an interview: “I have no interest in talking to China at the moment.”
Referring to agreements reached between the two major powers in January, he said: “The ink on these agreements was barely dry before they infected us with this disease.”
Trump continues to accuse China of not making sufficient efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sanction for Sanction
In response to the fresh sanctions, the People’s Republic of China announced on Wednesday morning (July 15) that it is taking a series of retaliatory sanction measures against America. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sanctions include both American individuals and American enterprises and companies.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, details of the sanction measures will be released in the near future.
China’s state television, in a statement condemning the new US sanctions, once again urgently called on the country not to interfere in China’s internal affairs.
Source: DW
