BIG: Trump announces new steps against China

Donald Trump has only intensified his pitch against China, which he has openly alleged has gifted the world Covid-19. The US President has announced a few steps to affect China.

Certain categories of Chinese nationals can't enter the US. There will be a ban on them.

Tightening of regulations against Chinese investments in the US announced.

Hong Kong will no longer be treated in a special way.

American funds to the WHO will be diverted to other global health organizations. Trump believes that the WHO has been controlled by China.

Trump has accused China of stealing the American Intellectual Property for decades.

As per the US Prez, China has violated several WTO commitments.

Trump says that China has affected the freedom of navigation, besides making unlaw claims to territories in the Indo-Pacific region. Action on this front is expected to be announced by Trump.

Criticism:

Trump's announcements have been met with criticism by some. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, If President Trump is serious about confronting China’s human rights abuses, he must work with Congress to craft an effective, robust strategy. His vague suggestions for confronting China’s actions are nothing new & do not articulate a real or serious strategy.

George Takei, a best-selling author, observed, Trump isn’t a leader. He’s a ceder. He ceded coronavirus crisis leadership to the states. He ceded security leadership to our NATO allies. Now he’s ceded global health leadership to China by walking away from the WHO. We need a leader, not a ceder.

Chris Murphy, US Senator, noted, Even when Trump tries to look tough on China, his policy is feckless. Stripping Hong Kong’s special status is a much bigger blow to HK than to Beijing. It helps China’s case to end “one country, two systems”. It’s like China took HK hostage and we decided to kill the hostage.