8/15/2019

CHINA/PROTESTS/TRADE DEALS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump has suggested a path to an ‘enlightened ending’ to the crisis in Hong Kong: Have China’s leader meet ‘directly and personally’ with pro-democracy protesters. After weeks of largely avoiding the topic, the U.S. president’s advice — delivered, as usual, via Twitter — is a sign that he’s begun listening to advisers who have urged him to weigh in, despite his concerns over how it might affect ongoing U.S.-Chinese trade negotiations…It’s unlikely that Chinese leader Xi Jinping will follow Trump’s advice. The communist government in Beijing has been threatening to violently crack down on the demonstrations, and has been staging paramilitary exercises in nearby Shenzen in view of reporters. Trump’s tweet, though, offered insight into his effort to balance his floundering trade talks with the growing outcry in Washington and beyond over the political crisis in Hong Kong.”

Nahal Toosi, “Trump outlines path to ending Hong Kong crisis,” Politico, August 15, 2019 11:43 am