CGTN America
(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
China summoned the U.S. Ambassador in Beijing Sunday to complain about its extradition warrant for the Chief Financial Officer of telecommunications giant Huawei.
CGTN’s Toby Muse reports.
Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng told Ambassador Terry Branstad, that the executive’s legal rights had been violated and demanded the extradition warrant be withdrawn immediately.
The warrant led Canada to arrest Meng Wanzhou earlier this month. She is accused of fraud related to alleged U.S. sanctions violations on trade with Iran and faces a bail hearing before Canada decides on the extradition request.
Meanwhile, in a series of television appearances, U.S. officials insisted that Meng’s detention should not interfere with trade talks between Beijing and Washington.
“Well it’s my view that it shouldn’t really have much of an impact. I can understand from the Chinese perspective how they would see it that way. This is a criminal justice matter,” U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said.
But, White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow, pressed during another interview on whether Meng could become a bargaining chip as the U.S. and China hold talks to end their trade war, made no promises, saying he could not guarantee anything since it was a Department of Justice and National Security Council issue.
The U.S. and China are trying to hammer a deal before the end of a 90-day truce in order to avoid a range of additional tariffs on imports.
Meanwhile, the Canadian province of British Columbia canceled a trade mission to China because of Meng’s detention. This comes after China warned that Canada could face consequences if Meng isn’t released.
Lei Mei on the detention of Huawei’s CFO
CGTN’s Roee Ruttenberg talks to Lei Mei, attorney and managing partner of Mei & Mark, LLP, about the detention of Huawei’s CFO.
