Trump,Hong Kong, China & W.H.O

CONTEXT: Relations between the United States and China are at their worst point in decades. Now, after two years of fights over trade and technology, Hong Kong and the coronavirus pandemic have emerged as new sources of conflict, accelerating the downward spiral of the relationship between the world’s two largest economies.

President Donald Trump announced on Friday 29 that the United States is ending its relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO). He said the organization was "manipulated" by China during the coronavirus crisis. The White House tenant also accused Beijing of failing to "keep its word" regarding respect for rights in Hong Kong. He, therefore, announced the start of the elimination of exemptions for the former British colony.

“Export controls, tariff treatment, visas, and other measures are all on the table, but the potential impact on China, Hong Kong, and U.S. businesses is unclear without more details,” Wendy Cutler, the vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, said in an emailed statement.

A tragedy for the whole world

President Donald Trump said China's behavior towards Hong Kong was "a tragedy" for the world and announced restrictions on Chinese students entering the United States. Beijing "has not kept its word given to the world to secure Hong Kong's autonomy," he said. "It is a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong, for China, and for the world."

The United States has been denouncing for several days the controversial national security law that Beijing wants to impose on Hong Kong. They believe that this is a disguised way of muzzling the Hong Kong opposition and cutting corners on freedoms, which China firmly denies. The White House tenant also announced that he is launching the process of eliminating the exemptions granted to Hong Kong as part of the revocation of his special status.

Global Times, a state-run Chinese newspaper, said in an unsigned editorial early Saturday that Mr. Trump’s moves would only strengthen China’s position and further unite its people against the United States.

Some experts warned that Mr. Trump’s actions might ultimately give Chinese officials a greater opening in their efforts to consolidate control of the territory.

A confrontation between the two powers over Hong Kong, she added, “would probably do more to hurt Hong Kong than persuade Beijing to alter course.”

Source: The New York Times & Agence France-Press