Denying Hong Kong’s Autonomy Must Not Be Cost-Free

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.

Thirty years ago this month, the Chinese Communist Party used murderous violence to crush peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.

The PRC suffered little for this egregious crime against humanity. To the contrary, the West’s business-as-usual response only incentivized the Communists to believe they can engage in repression of any kind with impunity.

That proposition is now being tested in Hong Kong, where Beijing and its surrogates seek to end that former British colony’s autonomy. We have an opportunity to change the calculation that this can be done cost-free.

Under U.S. law, if the President does not certify that China is respecting Hong Kong’s autonomy, it can be denied the opportunity to enjoy most favored nation access to the United States via Hong Kong.  Mr. Trump should make clear now that Beijing will suffer real penalties for any further assault on freedom. 

This is Frank Gaffney.