China Hints Retaliation if US Extradites Huawei CFO From Canadian Custody

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson sidestepped questions Tuesday at a Beijing news conference about whether the U.S. risks endangering its trade talks with China if it follows through with threats to extradite Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou to the U.S. from Canada to stand trial on criminal charges. Meng was arrested Dec. 1 while changing planes in Vancouver on suspicion of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran (see 1812060042). In ordering Meng’s detention, “what the U.S. has done, with its egregious nature, severely infringes upon the legal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens,” said the spokesperson. China urges the U.S. to “take measures to correct its wrongdoings and withdraw its arrest order for the Chinese citizen,” she said, hinting at Chinese retaliation if the U.S. fails to do so. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative didn’t comment Tuesday.