Jeff Mason, Steve Holland
ReutersTue, 11 Dec 2018 23:52 UTC
When asked if he would intervene with the Justice Department in her case, Trump said in an interview with Reuters: โWhateverโs good for this country, I would do.โ
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would intervene in the Justice Department's case against a top executive at China's Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL] if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China.
Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada Dec. 1 and has been accused by the United States of misleading multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, putting the banks at risk of violating U.S. sanctions.
When asked if he would intervene with the Justice Department in her case, Trump said in an interview with Reuters: "Whatever's good for this country, I would do."
"If I think it's good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made - which is a very important thing - what's good for national security - I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary," Trump said.
A Canadian court on Tuesday granted Meng bail while she awaits a hearing for extradition to the United States, a move that could help placate Chinese officials angered by her arrest.
Trump also said the White House has spoken with the Justice Department about the case, as well as Chinese officials.
"They have not called me yet. They are talking to my people. But they have not called me yet," he said when asked if he has spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the case.
Comment: ZeroHedge reports that she will be released on bail, but must post C$10MM bond and submit To 24-7 surveillance at her own expense:
The Huawei CFO will be released from custody and live at her Vancouver home under round-the-clock in-person surveillance, and she will also wear an electronic ankle monitor while she awaits extradition hearings. Meng must also surrender her passport. Meng must also cover all the costs of her surveillance, carry paperwork detailing the terms of her bail at all times, and submit to checks from the RCMP. She will also be subject to a curfew.
The financial terms of her bail were steep: They required at least five people to post $3 million in collateral and a $7 million cash deposit. Meng's next court date has been set for Feb. 6.
[..]
Meng's attorney has already selected a private security company that he asked be given the authority to apprehend Meng should she violate the terms of her bail. The company is called Lions Gate Risk Management. While on bail, Meng said she would like to remain in Vancouver to try and obtain her PhD at a local university.
Lawyers for the Canadian government have expressed concerns that hackers could tamper with Meng's electronic surveillance - hence the in-person guards.
Huawei has released a terse statement addressing Meng's release:
Comment: ZeroHedge reports that she will be released on bail, but must post C$10MM bond and submit To 24-7 surveillance at her own expense: Huawei has released a terse statement addressing Meng's release: