Canada court grants bail to Huawei CFO; Trump might intervene

[webfact]

Canada court grants bail to Huawei CFO; Trump might intervene

By Julie Gordon and Michael Martina

 

Liu Xiaozong (rear R), husband of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, returns to his wife's B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing after a lunch recess in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada December 11, 2018. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson

 

VANCOUVER/BEIJING (Reuters) - A top executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd wanted by the United States to answer to fraud accusations was granted C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail by a Canadian court on Tuesday, a move that could help soothe Chinese anger over her arrest.

 

Meng Wanzhou, 46, Huawei's chief financial officer and the daughter of its founder, faces U.S. claims that she misled multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, putting the banks at risk of violating U.S. sanctions.

 

In a court hearing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Justice William Ehrcke granted bail to Meng, who has been jailed since her arrest on Dec. 1. She will be subject to monitoring, a curfew and other conditions. If a Canadian judge rules the case against Meng is strong enough, Canada's justice minister must next decide whether to extradite her.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Tuesday he would intervene in the Justice Department's case against Meng if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China.

 

The arrest of Meng has put a further dampener on Chinese relations with the United States and Canada at a time when tensions were already high over an ongoing trade war and U.S. accusations of Chinese spying.

 

China had threatened severe consequences unless Canada released Meng immediately. Analysts have said retaliation from Beijing over the arrest was likely.

 

The U.S. State Department is considering issuing a travel warning for its citizens, two sources said on Tuesday, while the Canadian government confirmed that one of its citizens in China had been detained.

 

Two sources told Reuters the person detained was former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig. The Canadian government said it saw no explicit link to the Huawei case.

 

However, Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada's former ambassador to China, asked by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp whether the Kovrig detention was a coincidence, said: "In China there are no coincidences ... If they want to send you a message they will send you a message."

 

The Chinese embassy did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

 

ELECTRONIC MONITORING

Meng was detained as part of a U.S. investigation on Dec. 1 as she was changing planes in Vancouver. She has said she is innocent and will contest the allegations in the United States if she is extradited.

 

Tuesday was the third day of bail hearings. Meng's defence had cited her longstanding ties to Canada, properties she owns in Vancouver and fears for her health while incarcerated.

 

Her family assured the court she would remain in Vancouver at one of her family houses in an affluent neighbourhood if she was granted bail, according to court documents. Her husband said he plans to bring the couple's daughter to Vancouver to attend school, and Meng had said she would be grateful for the chance to read a novel after years of working hard.

 

She must remain in Canada, include five guarantors on her bail and be subject to electronic monitoring and security when she leaves her residence.

 

The courtroom erupted in applause when the judge granted bail. Meng began crying and hugged her lawyers, before being ordered back into the prisoner box for more directions from the judge. She was ordered to reappear in court on Feb. 6 to make plans for further appearances.

 

Huawei, which makes smartphones and network equipment, said in a statement it looked forward to a "timely resolution" of the case.

"We have every confidence that the Canadian and U.S. legal systems will reach a just conclusion," it said, adding that it complied with all laws and regulations where it operates.

 

Huawei is the world's largest supplier of telecommunications network equipment and second-biggest maker of smartphones, with revenue of about $92 billion last year. Unlike other big Chinese technology firms, it does much of its business overseas.

 

(Reporting by Julie Gordon in Vancouver; writing by Nick Zieminski and Rosalba O'Brien; additional reporting by Ben Blanchard and Michael Martina in Beijing, John Ruwitch in Shanghai and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; editing by Cynthia Osterman and Bill Rigby)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-12-12

[zydeco]

32 minutes ago, webfact said:

U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Tuesday he would intervene in the Justice Department's case against Meng if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China.

Just what I said last night. Trump has caved on the issue.  And he is preparing to cave on the tariffs. Worse, he apparently has changed sides and is now helping the Chinese, promising to inject himself into the DOJ's investigation in order to save this woman. Hey guys, THIS is obstruction of justice.  Trump is apparently willing to let Huawei (and ZTE, remember) spy, infiltrate, and steal US technology, all in order to sell soybeans. Remember, whenever he starts howling about "the Wall," it means he is about reverse one of his campaign promises.

Edited December 12, 2018 by zydeco

[ezzra]

Hey Canada,, looks like you will keep the 10 millions, no way she'll hang around for the continuance of this story, bet all the maple syrup in Canada that she's probably long gone by now...

[JingerBen]

This woman is just a pawn in the game.

Enforcing sanctions against Iran is what it's all about.

[janclaes47]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

while the Canadian government confirmed that one of its citizens in China had been detained.

 

Two sources told Reuters the person detained was former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig. The Canadian government said it saw no explicit link to the Huawei case.

 

However, Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada's former ambassador to China, asked by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp whether the Kovrig detention was a coincidence, said: "In China there are no coincidences ... If they want to send you a message they will send you a message."

 

Anyone still has any doubts China is running a war on the rest of the world?

 

 

 

 

[JingerBen]

6 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

 

Anyone still has any doubts China is running a war on the rest of the world?

 

 

 

 

Quite so.

They're giving the USA a run for their money, that's for sure.

[janclaes47]

3 minutes ago, JingerBen said:

Quite so.

They're giving the USA a run for their money, that's for sure.

This is not only about the US.

 

Read up on the background about how many western isp's and governments have removed and banned all Huawei equipment.

 

Nothing to do with Trump

[JingerBen]

5 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

This is not only about the US.

 

Read up on the background about how many western isp's and governments have removed and banned all Huawei equipment.

 

Nothing to do with Trump

This particular case has everything to do with Trump and the US sanctions on Iran.

[janclaes47]

9 minutes ago, JingerBen said:

This particular case has everything to do with Trump and the US sanctions on Iran.

That Canada government bans all Huawei equipment from their systems and BT UK has removed all Huawei equipment has nothing to do with this case.

 

Stop the selective reading

[Topdoc]

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Hey Canada,, looks like you will keep the 10 millions, no way she'll hang around for the continuance of this story, bet all the maple syrup in Canada that she's probably long gone by now...

My crystal ball says you better start planting a massive load of maple trees

[JingerBen]

2 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

That Canada government bans all Huawei equipment from their systems and BT UK has removed all Huawei equipment has nothing to do with this case.

 

Stop the selective reading

Don't get testy.

The issue is whether or not she will be extradited to the US.

My contention is that the underlying reason is to enforce sanctions on Iran.

[car720]

52 minutes ago, JingerBen said:

Don't get testy.

The issue is whether or not she will be extradited to the US.

My contention is that the underlying reason is to enforce sanctions on Iran.

Don't bang your head against a wall.

Some people just need someone to bounce off.

Ignore it.

[ExpatOilWorker]

4 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

 

Anyone still has any doubts China is running a war on the rest of the world?

 

 

 

 

They are and they want a data base on everyone.

 

"Marriott Data Breach Is Traced to Chinese Hackers as U.S. Readies Crackdown on Beijing"

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/us/politics/trump-china-trade.html

[maximillian]

4 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

 

Anyone still has any doubts China is running a war on the rest of the world?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have. The US is running how many wars all over the globe ?

 

 

[GroveHillWanderer]

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

Hey Canada,, looks like you will keep the 10 millions, no way she'll hang around for the continuance of this story, bet all the maple syrup in Canada that she's probably long gone by now...

Tricky to leave the country without a passport, while under 24-hour surveillance and wearing a tracking monitor.

 

As the CNN report on this states:

 

Quote

As a condition of her release, she has agreed to surrender her passports and live in one of her homes in Vancouver. She will also pay for an around-the-clock security detail and wear a GPS ankle bracelet.

 

[janclaes47]

49 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

They are and they want a data base on everyone.

 

"Marriott Data Breach Is Traced to Chinese Hackers as U.S. Readies Crackdown on Beijing"

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/us/politics/trump-china-trade.html

Nostradamus has predicted that WW3 will start in the East, many think it's the middle east, I believe it could be east asia.

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, ezzra said:

Hey Canada,, looks like you will keep the 10 millions, no way she'll hang around for the continuance of this story, bet all the maple syrup in Canada that she's probably long gone by now...

Get your stacks of pancakes ready.

Her detention is a matter between the US and China. She's not going to embarrass China's trade partner Canada.

[Nilats]

The sad part is that a Canadian got kidnapped over this... in addition Meng herself was an investor in Canada - she does have connections in Vancouver, she used to live there. The Arrest Warrant came from New York( Trump's home city) and now Trump is playing it like - "those damn Canadians arrested her, I'm just trying to help... gee..."

 

Considering that Trump attacked and hurt Canada's Dairy industry, Auto industry - it makes you wonder if Canada itself was a target with this obvious stink up started by the US. Regardless of the outcome - relationship with both of these countries should be re-evaluated and thoroughly investigated imo and conclusions should be made - the problem in Canada is that nobody is at the helm at the moment... Trudeau predictably is being played like a Muppet by everybody.

Edited December 12, 2018 by Nilats

[bristolboy]

40 minutes ago, Nilats said:

Considering that Trump attacked and hurt Canada's Dairy industry, Auto industry - it makes you wonder if Canada itself was a target with this obvious stink up started by the US. Regardless of the outcome - relationship with both of these countries should be re-evaluated and thoroughly investigated imo and conclusions should be made - the problem in Canada is that nobody is at the helm at the moment... Trudeau predictably is being played like a Muppet by everybody.

You mean "predictably" like when he faced down Trump over his outrageous Nafta revision demands? Your characterization is pure nonsense.

[bristolboy]

2 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

Nostradamus has predicted that WW3 will start in the East, many think it's the middle east, I believe it could be east asia.

I read somewhere that he also turned down an offer from Trump to be Chief of Staff.

[Nilats]

3 hours ago, bristolboy said:

You mean "predictably" like when he faced down Trump over his outrageous Nafta revision demands? Your characterization is pure nonsense.

In the context of international common sense - there was nothing outrageous about Trump's demands... the problem is that prior to that Trudeau defacto openly declared Canada as an ideological rival to the United States - if you want to know how the United States deals with its rivals - you should read some books about it... pretty much exactly the same way every time.

[Tug]

Just Donald trying to strongarm Canada I’m sure the lady is guilty as hell but Donald needs to stay in his box

[Kiwiken]

Whatever it does Canada is about to be stung economically. There is a price to be paid when you become the ham between two slices of bread.

Trudeau looks very weak. Canada is just a US lapdog they should leave the British Commonwealth and sign up to the grand USA

[Skeptic7]

23 hours ago, ezzra said:

Hey Canada,, looks like you will keep the 10 millions, no way she'll hang around for the continuance of this story, bet all the maple syrup in Canada that she's probably long gone by now...

Ummm...she isn't Thai, nor in Thailand. 

[neeray]

On ‎12‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 8:27 PM, ezzra said:

Hey Canada,, looks like you will keep the 10 millions, no way she'll hang around for the continuance of this story, bet all the maple syrup in Canada that she's probably long gone by now...

That's not too much maple syrup. As I learned recently, we import most of our maple syrup from USA (trump not aware of that I bet). So the myth about Canadian maple syrup is FAKE news.

 

(And she will hang around)

[edulofter]

//A judge set her bail at $10 million Canadian, of which $7 million must be in cash. Meng also agreed to wear a GPS tracker and to the restrictions on her ability to travel within Canada, including giving up her passports.//

 

GPS tracker is made by Huawei!!!!!????????????????????????????

 

..

[Skeptic7]

1 hour ago, neeray said:

That's not too much maple syrup. As I learned recently, we import most of our maple syrup from USA (trump not aware of that I bet). So the myth about Canadian maple syrup is FAKE news.

 

(And she will hang around)

NOT! 

 

Off topic for sure, but interesting that a Canadian(?) got it so wrong. Canada is by far the world's leading producer of maple syrup (approx 75%) and by far the leading exporter (80%), with the USA being it's biggest customer by far.

 

HOWEVER, Canada does import a relatively small amount of syrup from the USA...AND the USA is stepping up it's maple syrup production. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/01/canada-tariffs-maple-syrup-imported-from-us

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2018 by Skeptic7

[Scott]

As important and significant and patriotic as maple syrup is, it is off-topic in this thread, so please stay on topic.  

[bristolboy]

Trump's trade team spent days building a strategy to deal with the Huawei CFO arrest. Then Trump blew it up in a single interview.

 

• Trump administration officials have been trying to treat the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou and the US-China trade talks as two separate issues.
• Trump undermined that argument on Tuesday by suggesting Meng could be used as a bargaining chip in the trade talks.
• "I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary," Trump told Reuters.https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-huawei-cfo-arrest-china-trade-war-lighthizer-kudlow-plan-2018-12

[ballpoint]

On ‎12‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 7:49 AM, webfact said:

U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Tuesday he would intervene in the Justice Department's case against Meng if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China.

I have principles.  These are iron fast and set in stone.  But, if it will help me make a buck, then I have others.