Trump: Trade talks could be reason to intervene in Huawei case

WASHINGTON — The United States and China have taken pains this week to emphasize that their trade talks are entirely separate from the U.S. case against a top Chinese technology executive. But with a few words, President Donald Trump obliterated the distinction, saying he’d wade into the case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China.

China has already detained a former Canadian diplomat in what appears to be retaliation for Canada’s arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of telecommunications giant Huawei.

A Canadian court on Tuesday released Meng on bail, confining her to Vancouver and its suburbs while she awaits possible extradition to the United States. The U.S. accuses Huawei of using a Hong Kong shell company to do business with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions.

But on Tuesday, Trump raised the possibility that a U.S.-China trade deal might be reason enough for him to intervene.

“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 told Reuters.

State board says Airbnb West Bank action illegal

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois officials say that Airbnb’s ban on lodging listings in the disputed West Bank violates state law.

The Investment Policy Board’s vote Wednesday followed Gov. Bruce Rauner’s request last month. He sought a review of Airbnb’s decision to remove 200 participating properties in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The board decision means Illinois could ban investment in Airbnb if it offers public stock.

Airbnb senior vice president Christopher Lehane says in a letter to the board Wednesday that Airbnb is following company policy for disputed territory worldwide.