The Republican, who had already said he would try to free the businessman even before returning to power, said he has already raised the issue with Beijing
The president of the, said on Thursday that included the release of businessman Jimmy Lai, arrested since 2020 in, among the topics to be treated in commercial negotiations that his country currently has with, although he recognized that this is a complex issue.
Trump, who had already stated that he would try to free Lai even before returning to power, said he has already raised the issue with and reiterated that he will do “everything he can to save” the former owner of the Apple Daily newspaper, who is being tried in Hong Kong on charges of collusion and sedition, which may yield perpetual imprisonment.
However, the US president acknowledged that “President XI (Jinping) would not be exactly delighted” to agree with Lai’s release. “That said, your name has already entered the circle of matters we are discussing and we will see what we can do,” added Trump, who warned that Lai “is not a young man” whose health “is not very good.”
Lai’s possible liberation, accused of various crimes due to Hong Kong National Security Act, would be a demonstration of goodwill Xi to advance towards a commercial agreement with the US, analysts.
Lai and his three companies linked to the extinct Apple Daily newspaper face accusations under the rigorous legislation that Beijing imposed on 2020 Hong Kong, including “conspiracy with foreign forces” and “sedition”, for which he could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Trump signed this week an order to extend for another 90 days the truce in the tariff war with China, while negotiations between the two economic powers continue.
Washington and Beijing had already reached a temporary deal by which the US reduced 145% to 30% tariffs, while China reduced 125% to 10% taxes on American products. They also eliminated restrictions on trade in essential goods, such as rare lands and semiconductors.
*With information from EFE
Posted by Nátaly Tenório
