Oh, and while we weren't looking? Donald Trump totally blew it on Hong Kong

[catbyte]

Behind the tough talk, Trump has simply accepted China's crackdown on Hong Kong. It didn't have to be this way

Dan Froomkin
May 29, 2020 10:00PM (UTC)

This article was co-produced with Press Watch, a new website that monitors and critiques American political coverage. Please consider supporting Press Watch by making a donation.

Donald Trump on Friday outlined a series of punitive measures against the Chinese government for a recent move that essentially put an end to political freedom in Hong Kong.

But notably, he didn't call on China to back off and respect the human rights of Hong Kong's residents, an issue that has traditionally been a high priority for U.S. presidents.

"China claims it is protecting national security," Trump read from his prepared text. "But the truth is that Hong Kong was secure and prosperous as a free society. Beijing's decision reverses all of that. It extends the reach of China's invasive state security apparatus into what was formerly a bastion of liberty."

He treated it like it's a done deal. And it is — in part because Trump has flushed whatever credibility and leverage the U.S. might have had with China down the toilet.

snip

https://www.salon.com/2020/05/29/oh-and-while-we-werent-looking-donald-trump-totally-blew-it-on-hong-kong/

[Voltaire2]

1. so what exactly would you or Froomkin do instead?

[catbyte]

2. What are you attacking me for? I'm just relaying information.

[secondwind]

3. Catbyte, I think it was just a question.....

[Voltaire2]

7. It was a question.

[abqtommy]

4. Since I'm capable of multi-tasking I saw this Hong Kong thing happen in real time. None of us

should be surprised that tRUMP always manages to do the wrong thing. Now let's all get together and have a group hug, 'k? Metaphorically, at least...

[safeinOhio]

5. Thank you

for the link.

[Solomon]

6. Gave it away just like he does with everything else.

[crickets]

8. It's like watching a spoiled child grow bored with toys -- they up broken or tossed aside. nt