Make China Great Again? Trump pledges to help Chinese phonemaker ZTE ‘get back into business’

President Trump pledged on Sunday to help Chinese telecom giant ZTE return to business, days after the company said it would cease “major operating activities” because of the U.S. government’s recent trade restrictions, a dramatic shift in tone for a president who has long accused China of stealing U.S. jobs.

“President Xi of China, and I, are working together to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast,” Trump tweeted. “Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!”

The comment could presage a reversal of one of the Trump administration’s toughest actions to date against a Chinese company. Last month, the Commerce Department penalized ZTE for violating a settlement with the U.S. government over illegal shipments to Iran and North Korea. As a result, the Trump administration barred U.S. firms for seven years from exporting critical microchips and other parts to ZTE, the world's fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/05/13/trump-pledges-to-help-chinese-phone-maker-zte-get-back-into-business/?utm_term=.c56020fba800

What in the world?

China First! :P

This is really weird on a number of levels.

IT'S A GOOD THING EVERYONE 'ROUND THESE THEM PARTS SPEAKS GOOD OL' MERICAN SO THOSE COMMIE DEVILS CAN'T UNDERSTAND A WORD WE'RE SAYING!

@mattbbpl: If we are assuming Trump is a rational, calculating politician the only rationale I can think of for this is he’s using this to butter up China to make them more receptive to American-NK peace talks.

Other than that, who knows...

Lol

He'll come out ahead for our country. Just watch.

@n64dd: against China?

I am doubtful lol. What makes you think that?

This seems like it might be grounds for impeachment.

How so?

He's trying to get the US government to bail out a failing Chinese company, whose phones the US military has banned over concerns of the Chinese government spying, as a repayment for the Chinese government providing a loan to a Trump resort in Indonesia.

Proof?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-orders-help-chinese-phone-215814298.html

Interesting read.

@PurpleMan5000: Can you imagine if Clinton was accused of this stuff?

The GOP would be calling for her execution.

Here's an article about the same topic but laying out the timeline of events as well.

Link

Do you feel this is an impeachable offense?

Being impeached is a political action, and since I'm rather confident that at least one of the House or the Senate will remain in R hands the answer is, "No."

I'd argue, however, that the sale of national foreign policy decisions for personal gain should be.

I respect your opinion probably more than anybody else on this board. If you think it's shady, I'll agree with you.

@n64dd: Well, thanks buddy, high praise indeed.

FWIW, I originally typed out stronger language in that response. If those allegations are true, then the American populace has been betrayed and everyone in the country old enough to understand the situation should be enraged.

If you are correct, I hope they throw the book at him so to speak.

@n64dd: matt is indeed smart af

But where is my credit :(

@perfect_blue: I got ya, buddy!

This is a pretty egregious move. I'm not sure how someone could possibly look to spin this...so I guess we'll wait to see what Hannity has to say. My best guess is to dig up the best possible parallel to past presidents.

You challenge me to see the other side, and I appreciate what you do..even though you won't tell me generally where from Ontario you are from.

@n64dd: haha, I’m from Toronto. I think I’ve said that before on this site.

Fair enough. You guys have one of the best vintage game stores around.

@n64dd: You talking about A&C Games? Yeah, lovely place.

Yes sir. I have a few sealed games from there. Do they still have that Marrio Sunshine signed by Miyamoto? I know they wouldn't sell it before.