CHINA/DEMS/IRAN/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Wednesday [12-12-18] called President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he might intervene in the criminal proceedings of a Huawei executive for trade purposes ‘very disturbing.’ Trump said Wednesday he may get involved in the case of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications firm, over charges that she violated Iran sanctions…But at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Chinese espionage activities, Blumenthal said that ‘makes it look like law enforcement is a tool of either trade or political or diplomatic ends of this country… That may be true in other countries, but not in this one.’ Canada arrested the Huawei executive in response to a U.S. extradition request. The case has infuriated China, causing tension with Canada as it seeks to expand trade ties there. Meng was granted bail Tuesday.”
–Tim Starks and Alexander Panetta, “Senator calls potential Trump intervention in Huawei case ‘very disturbing’,” Politico, December 12, 2018 12:19 pm