Trump promised Xi US silence on Hong Kong democracy protests as trade talks stalled

It is a departure from US practice, but I don't think it shows "just how eager Trump is to strike a deal with Beijing as the trade war weighs on the US economy." It is consistent with Trump's apparent views on foreign policy in general. He's not a nation-building democracy-proselytizer anyway. He's been clear he isn't looking for regime change in Iran or in North Korea. Looking to make a deal with the Taliban to cut and run in Afghanistan. Not willing to criticize MBS after getting caught red-handed assassinating a journalist abroad. He capitulated in Syria, leaving all those proxy fighters we armed to be tortured and murdered. The only regime he's gone after is Maduro's, and even there he wasn't willing to go hard. Trump is not compromising with dictators to get his trade deal, he's doing it because he doesn't want to spend any capital at all defending the rights and freedoms of anyone abroad.

 

Do you really think China cares what the US thinks of HK protests? Any US President who huffs and puffs about issues in China’s sphere of domain needs to reconsider what actually works with the Chinese, for long term goals.

In fact, I suspect Chinese delegates would politely nod to such overtures — “we won’t attack you in the press” — that overrate our importance, and shake their heads behind closed doors with further evidence that US presidents think too highly of themselves, like they are playing an Ace card, when really it’s the 2 of Clubs.

 

He is so insecure.

DD

 

Where are all the Trumpers who were worried about Antifa spreading Communism to the US mainstream? The president you guys will never abandon is outsourcing our investigative capabilities and election security to Communist China.

I think Chinese officials think this is the deal of a lifetime. Do they care what Trump says about HK protests??... a little, but its not going to stop them from doing what they are doing to suppress the protests. They maybe just don't have to be as quiet about it now, but in the end they weren't going to be looking for a signal from the US on their response, and they've done enough homework on Trump to know that he would almost certainly advocate for a crackdown of the protesters since he's a nut job old cranky autocrat FoxNews watcher himself who hates dissent with a passion. I'm sure they laughed their asses off when he said he'd be quiet about the HK protests.

The deal the Chinese get: They likely get the trade deal of a lifetime. Removal of Tariffs.

What does the US get: the US workers, farmers, manufacturers, etc. get screwed, and took a beating for no good reason.

What does Trump get: help in the 2020 election to stay in power with some manufactured conspiracy theory that the Chinese can cook up in 20 minutes.

Pretty sweet deal for China.

Where are all the people in Trumps crowd who cheered him on when he said he was going to be tough on China, and how all the manufacturing jobs were coming back like never before??? He's selling you idiots out, and you are happy to let him con you guys all the way to the soup kitchen.

 

Even he he didn't stay quiet it's not like the US is gonna help HK and the protesters in any way. Just ask the Palestinians.

 

How are the two situations analogous?

 

lol Trump said he would be quiet. Will the left finally stand up and take a hard anti china stance?

 

Trump couldn't stay quiet if his life depended on it, he's gonna talk ****, it's just who he is.

 

... when you are right you are right. He is a loud mouth mafaka. And when he realizes he isn't getting a deal he will complain.

 

Has Trump ever talked about democracy?

 

It's an easier deal when no one has died yet. Hell, that protestor who got shot was aggressively violent.

Trump will be Trump, but worldwide reaction has largely been muted with a wait and see attitude.

 

Yes he has unfortunately it is about his distain For it

 

A big chunk of the world is occupied with impeachment, Brexit, India and Pakistan saber rattling, and Saudi Arabia and Iran in conflict. Unfortunately we live in very uncertain times and it’s hard to focus on problems in other countries when things are troubled at home.

 

I think people don't understand whats happening in Hong Kong.

Like isn't Hong Kong in China

 

i will transmit this information to Vladimir.

 

Yup people just don't understand. Hong Kong is definitely China. There's like no nuance to understand.

joking aside. I enjoyed traveling in China and Beijing. But with the pollution it's easily top 5 five most depressing places I have been too because of pollution and the overall oppressive vibe that you get there. Which makes it worse than some of the poorer places I have been in Africa and other places.

Hong Kong couldn't be much more different than Beijing if it tried really. I was in Shanghai only once for 4 days so I don't have a huge lasting impression of that city.

 

Human rights, democracy, nuclear disarment = hands off

Biden = hands on

 

Now imagine what’s it like for a North Korean slave trade worker working there. But hey president trump is really concerned about all corruption in China. Rather go after Biden then the real corruption in China. How can they honestly defend this guy in this situation?