Just Say It – There WILL Be Costs if China Snuffs Hong Kong’s Autonomy

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.

Donald Trump is not much given to public remorse. He may, however, soon regret his comments yesterday about Hong Kong.

As the President headed to a rally in Ohio last night, he affirmed that Hong Kong is part of China and, following repeated “riots” there, it must work out differences with Beijing. Unfortunately, such remarks are likely to be seen by the Chinese Communist Party as a green light for an imminent crackdown in the former British colony.

As evidence mounts that the PRC is inserting military personnel into Hong Kong and rounding up protesters, we should be signaling that there will be real costs if China snuffs what’s left of the city’s autonomy. U.S. law requires economic retaliation in such an event. And regrets will abound if we fail to emphasize that reality now, when it might yet have a deterrent effect.

This is Frank Gaffney.