Donald Trump has a decision to make, a basic one, between democracy and autocracy. Sitting on his desk right now, passed unanimously by the House and the Senate, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act sets the U.S. against China over its human rights abuses in Hong Kong.
Trump has already waffled on whether he'll sign it, saying, "We have to stand with Hong Kong, but I'm also standing with President Xi" of China. "He's a friend of mine. I'd like to see them work it out, okay?" Trump said. Seeing that wavering on Trump's part, the Chinese Foreign Ministry is leaning hard on U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad. He was summoned to the ministry on Monday to be scolded by Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang over U.S. "meddling" on the issue. "The Chinese side strongly urges the US to recognise the situation, immediately correct its mistakes, prevent the above-mentioned Hong Kong bill from becoming law, and stop any words and deeds that intervene in Hong Kong affairs and interfere in China's internal affairs," Zheng told him.
The bill has been sitting on Trump's desk for a week. Shockingly, the Republican Senate has given every indication that it will stand up to him on it, declaring itself unanimously in support of Hong Kong without his permission. Sure, it came with some really embarrassing buttering-up by Mitch McConnell, who said in a floor speech, "I would encourage this president, who has seen Chinese behavior for what it is with a clarity that others have lacked, not to shy away from speaking out on Hong Kong himself," but the Senate is united here.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo refused to say Tuesday whether Trump would sign the bill. If he takes no action, it becomes law within 10 days. If that happens, there goes the major excuse Mitch McConnell has used for every piece of legislation from the House he's refused to take up—that Trump's opposition precludes it. If the Senate can pass legislation for the people of Hong Kong against Trump's wishes, it can sure as hell do it for the people of America.