ZTE is back from the dead after Trump reversed sanctions. It's easy to explain why, but politicians are angry.
Yesterday I reported ZTE Back From the Dead After Trump Reverses Sanctions.
All of a sudden Trump is concerned about Chinese 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. Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2018
Political Backlash
Reuters reports Trump's pledge to help China's ZTE spurs backlash in Washington.
“Shocked. I think it shocked a lot of people in the president's own cabinet,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, speaking to reporters.
“Maybe he'll back off – let's hope. He's done that before too,” said Schumer, who said getting tough on China was one of the few areas where he agrees with Trump.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio cited concerns about Beijing using telecom companies like ZTE , China's second-largest maker of telecommunications equipment, for espionage.
“I hope this isn't the beginning of backing down to China,” Rubio said on Twitter, saying Chinese competition had “ruined” many U.S. companies.
“We are crazy to allow them to operate in U.S. without tighter restrictions,” Rubio said.
What Happened?
In a single sentence, U.S. Goods Stuck at China Ports as Tensions Heat Up.
Ford cars and California fruits are among the goods piling up at Chinese ports, the result of increased inspections that business groups say is China's way of reminding the U.S. how important its market is to American exporters.
Navel oranges, lemons and cherries from California, along with American apples, have been sitting at Chinese wharves for longer than normal as Chinese inspectors spend more time inspecting the fruits for pests and decays, U.S. trade groups said.
Ford Motor Co. vehicles are likewise being subjected to unusually rigorous checks at the port, people familiar with the matter said. Chinese customs officials want to inspect individual components inside the vehicles' emissions system, which would basically require the car to be disassembled—an impractical step.
Pork is also coming under more frequent inspections, U.S. officials say.
