We all know how Trump loves to negotiate; find or create as much leverage as possible, pound the table, and wait for the opponent to capitulate. You would think, therefore, that he would be using the protests in Hong Kong as leverage against the Chinese leadership in the on-again, off-again trade negotiations. No such luck. Why?
Because there is an exception to the rule when it comes to strongmen. Instead of applying leverage, he sucks up to them in the apparent hope of winning through flattery. He’s been doing it for months with Kim, and now he’s doing it with Xi.
Of course, it is also perfectly possible that he sympathizes more with the oppressors than the protestors, because he admires people who are “tough.” Xi certainly is that.