Now we Know Why Trump has Refused to Act on Hong Kong

For weeks I have been asking a rather simple question, why doesn’t Donald Trump highlight the antidemocratic changes being undertaken by the Chinese government against the people of Hong Kong as a justification for his trade war?

To me, it seems that this would be the golden opportunity to justify the hit to the American economy that will inevitably come from a trade war at the scale proposed by the Trump administration. So why not use this as a perfect opportunity to speak in support of the democracy advocates in Hong Kong?

Well, my worst fear may have become realized.

According to 2016 reporting by the New York Times, the President does have a history with a few of Hong Kong’s financial elite dating back to the collapse of the real estate market in the 2000s. Henry Cheng Kar-Shun and Vincent Lo who are two of Hong Kong’s political elite and wealthy businessmen in the city who helped the president out of a difficult financial situation.

Although Trump soured on the deal after completion he did wish to remain cordial with the duo after filing a $1 billion lawsuit.

Saying in an interview, “It’s too bad that this happened […] If you speak to Vincent and Henry, tell them I think they are fantastic people. You let them know that Donald Trump has great respect for them, O.K.?”

I have been a supporter of the President’s actions for much of his presidency, however, if this is the reason he is refusing to speak out or to grant legitimacy to these protesters it is something I cannot defend.

I believe Donald Trump should answer as to whether or not his desire to maintain a relationship with the businessmen of Hong Kong is stopping him from speaking out about this major issue of democracy.