Today: Saturday, 20 April 2024 year

Trump: I could swap Huawei chief financial officer’s freedom for a China trade deal

Trump: I could swap Huawei chief financial officer’s freedom for a China trade deal

President Trump has linked Meng’s arrest and the possible interest of US national security, Reuters reported. The  US President said he would intervene in the Justice Department’s case against Huawei’s CFO if it will help close a trade deal with China.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said they’re deeply concerned after China detained a former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig in Beijing in apparent retaliation to Meng’s arrest. Meanwhile, Donald Trump said he step in if it would be good for what will “certainly be the largest trade deal ever made”. The US leader suggested that talks were taking place with Beijing by phone and he would not raise tariffs on Chinese imports until he was sure about a deal.

Meng’s arrest in Vancouver continued with the bail hearing, after which the arrested Chinese was allowed to leave. Applause broke out in the courtroom when Justice William Ehrcke granted bail. Ms Meng cried and hugged her lawyers. The 46-year-old Ms Meng is the daughter of Huawei’s founder and her detention has angered China and soured its relations with both Canada and the US. Now, three countries are trying to find a compromise, which roots are in Trump’s tariffs policy.

The list of strict conditions of her release pending the outcome of the extradition case is lengthy and includes the surrender of her passports and electronic monitoring. China had threatened severe consequences unless Canada released the Huawei executive. On Tuesday morning, it emerged that a Canadian former diplomat Kovrig had been detained in China during one of his regular visits to Asia.