Trump orders his administration to begin eliminating Hong Kong
privileges
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 [May 30, 2020]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S.
President Donald Trump said on Friday he was directing his
administration to begin the process of eliminating special treatment for
Hong Kong, in response to China's plans to impose new security
legislation in the territory.
Trump made the announcement at a White House news conference, saying
China had broken its word over Hong Kong's autonomy. He said its move
against Hong Kong was a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong, China and
the world.
"We will take action to revoke Hong Kong's preferential treatment," he
said, adding that the United States would also impose sanctions on
individuals seen as responsible for smothering Hong Kong's autonomy.
Trump's move follows Chinese plans to impose new national security
legislation on the former British colony. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
has said the territory no longer warrants special treatment under U.S.
law that has enabled it to remain a global financial center.
Trump said he was directing his administration to begin the process of
eliminating policy agreements on Hong Kong, ranging from extradition
treatment to export controls.
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President Donald Trump addresses a news conference on China in the
Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., May 29, 2020.
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
He said he would also issue a proclamation on Friday to better
safeguard vital university research by suspending the entry of
foreign nationals from China identified as potential security risks.
Sources, including a current U.S. official, told Reuters on Thursday
that the latter move, which had been expected, could impact 3,000 to
5,000 Chinese graduate students.
(Reporting by Steve Holland, Jeff Mason and David Brunnstrom;
Editing by Franklin Paul and Rosalba O'Brien)
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