With Chinese security forces spotted conducting exercises across the border with Hong Kong, U.S. President Donald Trump says a trade agreement with China could be delayed until it reaches a humane resolution with Hong Kong's pro-democracy demonstrators, even suggesting he could personally broker an agreement between Beijing and the dissidents.

Trump went on Twitter late Wednesday night to boast about his administration's upper hand against Beijing in the ongoing negotiations to end the two countries' trade war.  After writing that "thousands of companies" are leaving China, the president said "Of course China wants to make a deal. Let them deal humanely with Hong Kong first!"

Trump then said Xi Jingping, his Chinese counterpart, "very much has the respect of his people," and that he had " ZERO doubt that if President Xi wants to quickly and humanely solve the Hong Kong problem, he can do it. Personal meeting?"

The president's tweets were his most extensive about the crisis in the Chinese territory since the demonstrations broke out 10 weeks ago.  In comments to reporters Tuesday, Trump, who last week took a hands-off stance on the protests, said the Hong Kong situation "is a very tough situation, very tough. We'll see what happens, but I'm sure it will work out." He expressed the hope that no one would get hurt and "for liberty."

Source : VOA