The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. campaign is drawing international criticism.

“drawing international criticism that the Trump administration is pushing the island toward a humanitarian crisis with no clear endgame.”

The Apple Daily closed the year after that.

“the owner of Apple Daily ... marks a symbolic end of an era. ... the end of the larger dream that Hong Kong could—under Chinese rule—preserve the freedoms”

Mass protests occurred in 2019 against a heavy-handed extradition law.

Xi Jinping came to power and accelerated the regime’s assault on Hong Kong’s rights.

Beijing had no intention of keeping its word.

“Hong Kong, which was promised autonomy for 50 years after 1997, is now firmly under the iron boot of Beijing.”

Jimmy Lai won a showdown with the Hong Kong government over a proposed security law that would have gutted Hong Kong’s freedoms.

“Jimmy Lai is sentenced to 20 years in prison for violating China’s national security law. ... It confirms that Hong Kong... is now firmly under the iron boot of Beijing. ... the end of the larger dream that Hong Kong could—under Chinese rule—preserve the freedoms”

Hong Kong was promised autonomy for 50 years after 1997.

“Hong Kong, which was promised autonomy for 50 years after 1997”

The strikes exposed Iran’s weakness, penetration by Israeli intelligence, and vulnerability by air.

“which exposed Iran’s weakness, penetration by Israeli intelligence, and vulnerability by air.”

In December and January the Iranian people rose up to demand an end to their regime’s failed rule.

“Second, in December and January the Iranian people rose up to demand an end to their regime’s failed rule.”

The regime subsequently massacred its own people by the thousands despite Mr. Trump’s repeated demands not to do so.

“Third, the regime subsequently massacred its own people by the thousands despite Mr. Trump’s repeated demands not to do so.”

Trade policy and tariffs are in flux: There have been plenty of instances where announced tariffs have been postponed, suddenly nixed, or unexpectedly increased or decreased in size.

“Mexico got a 90-day reprieve from a new “reciprocal tariff” schedule while negotiations continue.”

Tariffs have been applied in a staggered manner: The earliest tariffs went into effect in February (China, non-USMCA goods) and March (steel, aluminum), but the bulk were not announced or applied until April or later.

“President Trump made his latest tax increases permanent on Friday with the announcement of tariff hikes on imports from countries that didn’t negotiate a deal with the administration since April 2—aka Liberation Day.”

The Trump administration has also placed a 17% duty on Mexican tomatoes.

The government leveraged it to freeze assets at the Apple Daily, arrest other employees, and eventually shutter it entirely.

“the owner of Apple Daily ... marks a symbolic end of an era. ... the end of the larger dream that Hong Kong could—under Chinese rule—preserve the freedoms”

He is a citizen of the United Kingdom, meaning he did not have to do this.

Prosecutors alleged Lai spearheaded a conspiracy to secure sanctions or blockades against China and Hong Kong, referencing meetings he had with U.S. officials like Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“on trumped up charges of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign powers.”

Former Apple Daily Editor in Chief Law Wai-kwong, Executive Editor in Chief Lam Man-chung, and English Edition Managing Editor Fung Wai-kong received 10-year sentences; Yeung Ching-kee, an editorial writer, received seven years and three months; Associate Publisher Chan Pui-man got seven years; and CEO and Publisher Cheung Kim-hung was handed six years and nine months.

Jimmy Lai got a 20-year sentence for saying things the Chinese government didn't like.

“Jimmy Lai is sentenced to 20 years in prison for violating China’s national security law. ... on trumped up charges of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign powers.”

In 2020, the mainland imposed a "national security law" on Hong Kong, where Lai made his home.

At 12 years old, Lai escaped to the city as a stowaway on a fishing boat after his mother was sent to work in a labor camp for the crime of being a "class enemy."