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Trump set to ignore China threats and sign HK bill

Trump set to ignore China threats and sign HK bill

Bill has landed on Trump’s table waiting to be signed. (AFP pic)

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation yesterday that supports human rights and democracy in Hong Kong and also backs the territory’s anti-China protesters, sending the measure opposed by Beijing to President Donald Trump.

The White House has not threatened to veto the measure and Trump is expected to sign it, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act passed the House of Representatives by 417 to 1, one day after the Senate unanimously passed the measure, provoking an outcry from Beijing.

The bills set up a potential conflict between the two economic superpowers that could jeopardise a major trade deal which has been under negotiation for months.

Beijing expressed anger earlier yesterday after the Senate’s unanimous vote, warning of “strong countermeasures” if the bill becomes law and summoning acting US charge d’affaires William Klein to lodge a protest.

The bill’s passage could further inflame trade tensions between the two nations, an issue Trump addressed directly when he said Beijing has yet to make sufficient concessions in trade talks, making him reluctant to conclude a bargain.

“I can tell you this. China would much rather make a trade deal than I would,” he told reporters while touring a computer manufacturing facility in Texas.

“I don’t think they’re stepping up to the level that I want.”[…]