Trump Pledges to Confront Xi Over Jailed Hong Kong Activist Jimmy Lai

President Donald Trump confirmed he will press Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the release of Jimmy Lai. The announcement came as he departed Washington for a trip to Asia. This follows a direct appeal from a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers.

The lawmakers, led by Senator Rick Scott, urged immediate action on humanitarian grounds. They highlighted the deteriorating health of the detained Hong Kong media mogul. According to Bloomberg, Trump expressed respect for the senators and placed the issue on his negotiation list.

The Case of Jimmy Lai and US Lawmaker Pressure

More than thirty U.S. lawmakers signed a letter demanding Lai’s freedom. They argued time is running out for the imprisoned businessman. The letter stated his humanitarian case is dire and requires top-level intervention.

Jimmy Lai is a British citizen and former owner of Apple Daily. His newspaper was a vocal critic of Beijing and supported pro-democracy protests. He has been detained since 2020 under China’s national security law.

Lai faces charges of conspiring to incite foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China. He has consistently denied all accusations against him. The Chinese government strongly opposes foreign involvement in its internal legal affairs.

Broader Agenda for High-Stakes Talks

The issue adds to a complex agenda for the leaders’ meeting. Trump seeks to extend a tariff pause on Chinese goods. In return, he wants Beijing to resume U.S. soybean purchases and curb fentanyl exports.

The U.S. President also aims to discuss the war in Ukraine and artificial intelligence. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged both sides would need to make concessions. He noted the current tariff situation is likely unsustainable for China.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng began preliminary talks in Malaysia. This sets the stage for the main event. The White House confirmed the Trump-Xi meeting will occur Thursday in South Korea.

The planned discussion about Jimmy Lai underscores the tense human rights dimension of U.S.-China relations. The outcome of the high-stakes Trump Xi meeting will be closely watched by advocates and governments worldwide.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Jimmy Lai?

Jimmy Lai is a Hong Kong media mogul and pro-democracy activist. He is the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper. He has been imprisoned by Hong Kong authorities since 2020.

What charges does Jimmy Lai face?

Lai is charged with conspiring to incite foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China. These charges are based on Beijing’s national security law. He has denied all allegations.

Why are US lawmakers involved?

Over thirty U.S. lawmakers signed a letter citing humanitarian concerns over Lai’s health. They believe his case requires intervention at the highest diplomatic level. They urged President Trump to personally raise the issue with President Xi.

What is the significance of this meeting?

The Trump Xi meeting addresses critical bilateral issues beyond the Lai case. Key topics include trade tariffs, the fentanyl crisis, and the war in Ukraine. It represents a major diplomatic engagement between the two powers.

Where will the leaders meet?

The meeting is scheduled to take place in South Korea. This was confirmed by the White House. The location underscores the global strategic context of their discussions.