OPINION:
In “Upping ante, Trump threatens new tariffs on Chinese imports” (Web, June 18) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo describes China as a “predatory economic government” that’s “long overdue in being tackled.”
Early this year, China blocked access to the website of U.S. hospitality company Marriott International, along with several multinational brands, for referring to Taiwan as a country. Later, the Civil Aviation Administration in Beijing demanded that 44 international airlines, including United Airlines, cease referring to Taiwan as a country on corporate websites and in other promotional material, and instead refer to it as “Taiwan, China,” or “Taiwan Region, China.” Otherwise, it threatened, the companies will be on the receiving end of punitive legal or administrative measures.
These actions have already raised broad concerns in the U.S. A White House statement described Beijing’s action as “Orwellian nonsense” and said “China’s efforts to export its censorship and political correctness to Americans and the rest of the free world will be resisted.”
We appreciate the support expressed and efforts made by the Trump administration and Congress. It’s our sincere hope that U.S. companies uphold their principles and resist any unwarranted demands from the authoritarian regime. United we stand.
CHRISTINE M.Y. HSUEH
Deputy representative
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U. S.
Washington
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