President Trump signed legislation backing pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong over Beijing’s objection that it might further hamper stalled trade talks.
Ending days of “will he, won’t he” speculation, the announcement comes on the eve of Thanksgiving, when much of Washington, D.C., has already left for the holiday. The move suggests Trump continues to tread a fine line between placating China and pleasing allies who want him to do more to support the protests.
“I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong. They are being enacted in the hope that leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all,” he said.
Despite the soft words, the measures will be viewed as a strong statement in Beijing.
The legislation was backed unanimously in the Senate and by all but one member of the House. It requires the State Department to conduct an annual review of Hong Kong’s autonomy within China for it to retain its favorable trading status.
It also authorizes the use of sanctions against officials engaged in abuses.
Trump had previously been vague about whether he would sign the legislation, though the Washington Examiner learned earlier this week that aides expected him to finally support the measures but without delivering fiery condemnation of Beijing.
The move was welcomed by Sen. Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act is an important step forward in holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and its repression of fundamental human rights,” he said.
