Hong Kong could be a key factor complicating the trade negotiations. Earlier in Tuesday, Senate passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act unanimously, aiming at backing Hongkongers in protecting their autonomy. On Wednesday, House abandoned their version unanimously passed a month ago, adopted the Senate version, and passed swiftly with 417 to 1 votes. Trump will have 10 days, excluding Sunday, to sign the bill. It’s believed that with the near unanimous votes, there is no reason for Trump to veto the bill.
The bipartisan support to Hong Kong drew fierce response from China. The Chinese Communist Party’s main newspaper, the People’s Daily, urged the United States to “rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice” and stop interfering in Hong Kong matters and China’s internal affairs. It warned, “if the US. side obstinately clings to its course, the Chinese side will inevitably adopt forceful measures to take resolute revenge, and all consequences will be borne by the United States”.
