The US President Donald Trump said that he does not plan new negotiations with China on the second phase of the trade agreement.
“I’m not interested in negotiations with China right now“, – Trump said in response to a question about whether negotiations will be held on the second phase of the trade agreement.
The president explained:
“We made a big bargain. But as soon as it was signed, even the ink was still dry, they hit us with the plague”.
Trump was referring to the new coronavirus, which first appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Earlier, he repeatedly stated that China should be held accountable for the spread of the virus.
As reported, a little earlier, Trump told the reporters that he had signed a law providing for sanctions against Chinese officials who restricted Hong Kong’s freedoms.
“Today I signed a law and a decree aimed at making China responsible for harassment in Hong Kong”, – he said.
According to him, in addition to the law passed to him for signature by Congress, this is a decree abolishing Washington’s privileged attitude towards Hong Kong. In particular, this will lead to the abolition of trade preferences and the cessation of the transfer of American technology there.
Earlier, both houses of Congress approved a law providing for sanctions against Chinese officials related to the recently adopted Hong Kong National Security Act. The United States believes that this law violates the special status of Hong Kong and deprives its residents of a number of freedoms.
“In the end, we lost a serious competitor”, – Trump said at a press conference in the White House.
According to Trump, after the recent measures taken by Beijing, Hong Kong “will no longer be able to compete in the free market”.
In addition, he said, now “many people” will generally leave Hong Kong.