GOATUS calls out Pop, Kerr on hypocrisy re: China!

[FultzNationRISE]

President Donald Trump, in his first public comments about the NBA's relationship with China, criticized Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for their response to questions about the controversy.

Trump weighed in on the topic Wednesday afternoon, saying the NBA has to "work out their own situation" with China while he was critical of Kerr and Popovich, saying they "were pandering to China."

Kerr, who has been publicly critical of Trump and vocal on several social issues in the United States, said Monday that he had no comment when asked about the fallout from Rockets GM Daryl Morey's tweet last week that showed support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.

Trump ripped Kerr two days later, saying that the three-time championship-winning coach "was like a little boy, he was so scared to be even answering the question," Trump said. "He couldn't answer the question -- he was shaking 'Oh, oh, oh, I don't know. I don't know.'

"He didn't know how to answer the question, and yet he'll talk about the United States very badly."


Holy shit :roll:


This is why we GOATUS :rockon: :bowdown:

[305Baller]

:lol

[FultzNationRISE]

Popovich also avoided directly discussing the specific issue regarding protests in Hong Kong, although he did praise NBA commissioner Adam Silver for his stance supporting free speech.

"I watched Popovich -- sort of the same thing, but he didn't look quite as scared actually," Trump said. "But they talk badly about the United States, but when it talks about China, they don't want to say anything bad. I thought it was pretty sad, actually. It'll be very interesting."

Many NBA coaches have remained largely mum on the current situation with China. Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni refused to answer questions on the topic after his team's game in Tokyo on Tuesday, while LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers didn't go too deeply into specifics when asked his opinion.

"I watch the way that Kerr and Popovich and some of the others were pandering to China, and yet to our own country, it's like they don't respect it," Trump said. "It's like they don't respect it. I said, 'What a difference -- isn't it sad?' It's very sad. To me, it's very sad."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27808516/president-donald-trump-critical-warriors-steve-kerr-spurs-gregg-popovich-response-china-controversy




:djparty

[brooks_thompson]

Just read Pop’s response. He didn’t pander to China at all. It was fine til he brought Trump into it. For gods sakes people give it up. I don’t like Trump at all, but if theres anything tangentially related to him he gets brought up and ridiculed. If you’re that upset about the man, then commit the time or money towards programs that promote a US whose citizens won’t elect such a doof.

[FreezingTsmoove]

:roll: Little boy Kerr punching air right now :roll:

[CelticBaller]

Kinda sad the president is this petty

[brooks_thompson]

Kinda sad the president is this petty

The worst part is it gives everyone else an excuse to act just like him. And they jump at the chance.

[LAmbruh]

kerr and pop just need to shut up and dribble

[Soundwave]

Kinda sad the president is this petty

The funniest part is the reporter asks Trump to make a statement on Hong Kong and he wants no part of that either. He's already promised the Chinese to stay out of the issue. What a chump.

[FultzNationRISE]

Kinda sad the president is this petty


I agreed with this when he was stoking the Anthem kneeling fires that had nothing to do with him.

These two clowns bring him up CONSTANTLY, and a lot of followers take the words of clowns like Pop and Kerr as political genius.

Good for Trump to call them out and highlight what hypocritical try-hard phonoes they are.

[ralph_i_el]

I agreed with this when he was stoking the Anthem kneeling fires that had nothing to do with him.

These two clowns bring him up CONSTANTLY, and a lot of followers take the words of clowns like Pop and Kerr as political genius.

Good for Trump to call them out and highlight what hypocritical try-hard phonoes they are.

:facepalm

Mentally ill and partially literate, just like the President.

[305Baller]

one whistle blow deserves another


haahaahahahaaaah :lol

[HoopologyPhD]

Steve is a racist hypocrite that named his son Nick Kerr but wants his fellow whites to feel guilty for their skin color and perceived privileges.

Old man Pop is clearly losing his mind in his old age or completely reversing his course of being a hard ass that treats even star players poorly to pandering to SJWs. I fully expect him to transition shortly so he can be the first trans/female NBA coach, he already has started the experiment with Becky Hammon.

[ralph_i_el]

Steve is a racist hypocrite that named his son Nick Kerr but wants his fellow whites to feel guilty for their skin color and perceived privileges.

Old man Pop is clearly losing his mind in his old age or completely reversing his course of being a hard ass that treats even star players poorly to pandering to SJWs. I fully expect him to transition shortly so he can be the first trans/female NBA coach, he already has started the experiment with Becky Hammon.

A fan of the President accusing someone of "losing his mind in his old age"

Multiple people who have worked with the president says he has to blow lines of addy before he's able to read.

[SouBeachTalents]

A fan of the President accusing someone of "losing his mind in his old age"

Multiple people who have worked with the president says he has to blow lines of addy before he's able to read.
Bullshit. Trump went to an ivy league school, he's very highly educated. He knows words, he has the best words

[bladefd]

I'm sure Kerr/Popovich are pissed and want to respond, but they know they would get fired by Nik.. I mean NBA if they did. Companies like Nike own the nba.

I'm okay with everyone in the pockets of China getting called out. They will ultimately be on the wrong side of history for not speaking up against injustice in the name of money.

[AlternativeAcc.]

:facepalm

Mentally ill and partially literate, just like the President.
I think the term you're looking for is 'semi-literate' you illiterate moron. also lol @ pointing out a common typo and thinking it was a witty burn. You suck.

[bobopenguin]

Trump is right tho. how many american business have kneeled down to chinese money? let's see... epic, blizzard, EA, Disney, Ubisoft, Apple, Nike, Adidas etc.. and they are all blaming USA playing hardball with china.. not a single one would openly critizing china on sensitive subjects. What china doing now are global scale matters, race genocide, economy invasion, spreaking fake news, spies etc. where's google's "dont be evil"?

where are ur American values when chinese money is involved?
hypocrites.

ARM and Qualcomm Will Continue to Supply Huawei Despite US Ban (https://syncedreview.com/2019/09/26/arm-and-qualcomm-will-continue-to-supply-huawei-despite-us-ban/)
look at this bullshit.

U guys have soft knees. fake tough guys everywhere.

[bobopenguin]

https://twitter.com/Christie_Ileto/status/1181779722243575809

[I]"The moment Sam Wachs and his wife are escorted out of the @sixers preseason game against a Chinese basketball team for yelling

[scuzzy]

r/nba getting st0rmfronted rn :lol

[Hawker]

The worst part is it gives everyone else an excuse to act just like him. And they jump at the chance.

Why not? Pop and Kerr get tons of public media coverage and it also gives others an excuse to act like them as well. Why are they allowed to talk shit but Trump and his supporters arent?

Trump isn't Bush. He isn't just going to sit there and "be the better man" and take it. He understands that he has cultural influence and will yield it. Democrat politicians do the same - they don't like it when a republican does it. Republicans are slowly learning though.

[PeroAntic]

Trump sees the flaws in everyone but himself. He lives just for the grievances.

[FultzNationRISE]

A fan of the President accusing someone of "losing his mind in his old age"

Multiple people who have worked with the president says he has to blow lines of addy before he's able to read.

This dude triggered by intelligent men calling out effeminate faux-intellectual try hards such as himself and Pop and Kerr :lol

[FultzNationRISE]

:facepalm

Mentally ill and partially literate, just like the President.


Rebuffs my post by calling out a typo :roll:

[FultzNationRISE]

ITT: Pretentious left tards exposed for their hypocrisy, deflecting by railing against the

[FultzNationRISE]

Trump is right tho. how many american business have kneeled down to chinese money? let's see... epic, blizzard, EA, Disney, Ubisoft, Apple, Nike, Adidas etc.. and they are all blaming USA playing hardball with china.. not a single one would openly critizing china on sensitive subjects. What china doing now are global scale matters, race genocide, economy invasion, spreaking fake news, spies etc. where's google's "dont be evil"?

where are ur American values when chinese money is involved?
hypocrites.

ARM and Qualcomm Will Continue to Supply Huawei Despite US Ban (https://syncedreview.com/2019/09/26/arm-and-qualcomm-will-continue-to-supply-huawei-despite-us-ban/)
look at this bullshit.

U guys have soft knees. fake tough guys everywhere.


Boom.

Drop that mic big boy. :applause:

[Da_Realist]

Why not? Pop and Kerr get tons of public media coverage and it also gives others an excuse to act like them as well. Why are they allowed to talk shit but Trump and his supporters arent?

Trump isn't Bush. He isn't just going to sit there and "be the better man" and take it. He understands that he has cultural influence and will yield it. Democrat politicians do the same - they don't like it when a republican does it. Republicans are slowly learning though.

Yes sir :applause:

[bobopenguin]

https://twitter.com/JonSchweppe/status/1182070459355009027


Just had our “Free Hong Kong” sign confiscated at Capitol One Arena at the
Wizards game against the Guangzhou Long Lions. #FreeHongKong #NBA #Censorship



https://twitter.com/JonSchweppe/status/1182076217123586048

Our “Google Uyghurs” sign has been confiscated.

after philadelphia, it's now washington DC.
bunch of *******.

next time, go in with "fight for freedom", see how will that end.

[warriorfan]

Steve Kerr is a dweeb

[FultzNationRISE]

[QUOTE=bobopenguin]https://twitter.com/JonSchweppe/status/1182070459355009027


Just had our

[bigkingsfan]

[QUOTE=bobopenguin]https://twitter.com/JonSchweppe/status/1182070459355009027


Just had our

[305Baller]

https://media1.giphy.com/media/2Y7vjKwsZ9tpBSuNL4/giphy.gif

china are the new white colonialists :lol

[coastalmarker99]

https://media1.giphy.com/media/2Y7vjKwsZ9tpBSuNL4/giphy.gif

china are the new white colonialists :lol

:lol :applause:

[90sgoat]

Spot on by Trump!

The NBA, the black stars and the white coaches and the jewish owners have collectively collapsed and been exposed as hypocrite self haters, who only have the guts to stand up when there is no consequence.

[305Baller]

Spot on by Trump!

The NBA, the black stars and the white coaches and the jewish owners have collectively collapsed and been exposed as hypocrite self haters, who only have the guts to stand up when there is no consequence.

:lol :lol :lol

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/ZooWithRoy/kickdoor.gif

china taking their shots

https://media.tenor.com/images/8b371e5406316a070838adf8c0aeb105/tenor.gif

[DoctorP]

https://media2.giphy.com/media/sAmth2seZzwze/source.gif

https://media0.giphy.com/media/Bl9FlB6ItNJ28/source.gif

https://media.giphy.com/media/xR75DExOzcUGA/giphy.gif

[DoctorP]

american generals right now:

https://media0.giphy.com/media/10jsnQ0RR2l4k0/source.gif

https://i.gifer.com/I9px.gif

https://media2.giphy.com/media/7QinPF20tBDnG/giphy.gif

[90sgoat]

Honestly guys, this is why I am so tough on you and your basketball league.

The NBA, and the US really, is collapsing, it's a paper tiger, which runs away at the first sight of blood.

What cowardly behavior are we witnessing?

First the NBA stars didn't want to represent their country in the FIBA World Cup, now the stars are kissing ass to the Chinese.

It's so embarassing!

Imagine stanning and being represented by someone like James Harden:facepalm

[305Baller]

this is detective... i mean "doctor" poooozzzy: :lol

https://i.gifer.com/I9q5.gif

[ImKobe]

Honestly guys, this is why I am so tough on you and your basketball league.

The NBA, and the US really, is collapsing, it's a paper tiger, which runs away at the first sight of blood.

What cowardly behavior are we witnessing?

First the NBA stars didn't want to represent their country in the FIBA World Cup, now the stars are kissing ass to the Chinese.

It's so embarassing!

Imagine stanning and being represented by someone like James Harden:facepalm

Bruh, all these guys have millions to lose. People who fought for civil rights in this country weren't wealthy and in a comfortable position like today's athletes are. You can't expect this environment to produce a Muhammad Ali or a Bill Russell. It's a lot of money and a lot of people's jobs on the line if they went against China publicly.

[bladefd]

It's one thing to stand up for truth when there are no consequences to do so, but something great to stand up while facing potential consequences. This is what you learn from those of the past, including Gandhi and MLK jr.

https://i.pinimg.com/474x/1f/97/eb/1f97ebbab2b79773ede7343c0bd4d01c.jpg

[305Baller]

https://66.media.tumblr.com/15a2fa30c0ce8bf16bf37ad09d98602e/tumblr_nbzobuNjbh1r2ntmlo1_500.gif

[305Baller]

https://s3.gifyu.com/images/Monkeygang-in-India.gif

https://s3.gifyu.com/images/Monkeygang-in-India-2.gif

[90sgoat]

Bruh, all these guys have millions to lose. People who fought for civil rights in this country weren't wealthy and in a comfortable position like today's athletes are. You can't expect this environment to produce a Muhammad Ali or a Bill Russell. It's a lot of money and a lot of people's jobs on the line if they went against China publicly.

They all have enough money to last them several lifetimes.

They're exposed for what they are, gutless, greedy empty shells, who care about nothing but themselves.

[coastalmarker99]

They all have enough money to last them several lifetimes.

They're exposed for what they are, gutless, greedy empty shells, who care about nothing but themselves.
:applause:

[305Baller]

https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/china-slams-nba-apple-over-hong-kong-doc-1l90zi3

:lol

[ImKobe]

They all have enough money to last them several lifetimes.

They're exposed for what they are, gutless, greedy empty shells, who care about nothing but themselves.

Yeah ok. So if you're rich enough you should risk your money and the well-being of others because of an issue in a foreign country that you might not even be properly educated on.

Have you personally done anything about China? Have you stopped consuming their products? Why not? You're funding them. Look around your house/apartment/trailer, how many products have "made in China" written on them? You do realize you're complaining about China while typing on a phone/computer you bought that directly funded those people?

[ralph_i_el]

I think the term you're looking for is 'semi-literate' you illiterate moron. also lol @ pointing out a common typo and thinking it was a witty burn. You suck.

There is nothing syntactically wrong with what I said.

[ralph_i_el]

Boom.

Drop that mic big boy. :applause:

He's the president and he's not playing hardball with China.

He gave in on Huawei, a company that sells bugged phones. Then Ivanka got a bunch of trademarks approved in China:facepalm

Literally yesterday he just made even more concessions to Huawei. He's rolling over for some belly rubs from the Chinese. You are a cuck for a retard.

[FKAri]

Rent free in the President's head :oldlol:

[305Baller]

Rent free in the President's head :oldlol:
:lol

[bladefd]

Yeah ok. So if you're rich enough you should risk your money and the well-being of others because of an issue in a foreign country that you might not even be properly educated on.

Have you personally done anything about China? Have you stopped consuming their products? Why not? You're funding them. Look around your house/apartment/trailer, how many products have "made in China" written on them? You do realize you're complaining about China while typing on a phone/computer you bought that directly funded those people?

So does that mean we should be silent about Chinese concentration camps, blatant human rights violations and blackmailing corporations/companies located in democratic countries into controlling their policies (make your policy do x or we will expel you)? Should human rights even matter?

[FultzNationRISE]

He's the president and he's not playing hardball with China.

He gave in on Huawei, a company that sells bugged phones. Then Ivanka got a bunch of trademarks approved in China:facepalm

Literally yesterday he just made even more concessions to Huawei. He's rolling over for some belly rubs from the Chinese. You are a cuck for a retard.


What does that have to do with him being right about this??

Youre one of those partisan maniacs who thinks if Trump says the sky’s blue, you have to rush to deny the sky being blue, so that you can maintain a visible difference and separation between yourself and Trump, so everyone remembers that youre the smart righteous hero, because all of society’s pavlovian dogs have been conditioned to believe Trump is always the bad guy.

Youre a dumb animal trying to show off your “wokeness” by attacking Trump at all times. A dude who tries to signal what an enlightened beacon of righteousness he is, by spewing community-college level kumbaya philosophy. What does Huawei have to do with THIS thread? Nothing.

Pop and Kerr are buffoons but theyre like you: Pretentious, desperate to impress the world with faux-wokeness. Embarrassing.

[Xiao Yao You]

https://66.media.tumblr.com/15a2fa30c0ce8bf16bf37ad09d98602e/tumblr_nbzobuNjbh1r2ntmlo1_500.gif

told ya

[LostCause]

Pot calling the kettle black

He did have a point, but it was pretty shallow and hypocritical.

[90sgoat]

[QUOTE=FultzNationRISE]What does that have to do with him being right about this??

Youre one of those partisan maniacs who thinks if Trump says the sky

[ImKobe]

So does that mean we should be silent about Chinese concentration camps, blatant human rights violations and blackmailing corporations/companies located in democratic countries into controlling their policies (make your policy do x or we will expel you)? Should human rights even matter?

We shouldn't, but the truth of the matter is that we can't do anything about it without potentially causing a recession. Is it the athletes/coaches' job to speak out on this issue? No. Do they change anything if they do, other than potentially taking millions out of the league's and their own pockets? No.

Do you want us to go to war with China? That doesn't sound like a good idea.

[egokiller]

We shouldn't, but the truth of the matter is that we can't do anything about it without potentially causing a recession. Is it the athletes/coaches' job to speak out on this issue? No. Do they change anything if they do, other than potentially taking millions out of the league's and their own pockets? No.

Do you want us to go to war with China? That doesn't sound like a good idea.

This sounds like the approach of a turtle. Just tuck your head in your shell and hope it all blows over. :roll:

[bigkingsfan]

This sounds like the approach of a turtle. Just tuck your head in your shell and hope it all blows over. :roll:
Funny because that's your approach after 2016.

[egokiller]

Funny because that's your approach after 2016.

Yep, I changed accounts because Kyrie hit the shot. :rolleyes: Makes zero sense. Try again.

[ImKobe]

This sounds like the approach of a turtle. Just tuck your head in your shell and hope it all blows over. :roll:

That's easy to say when you have nothing to lose, you're not getting the bigger picture here.

[egokiller]

That's easy to say when you have nothing to lose, you're not getting the bigger picture here.

I never said that I did have something to lose. As long as what is happening to the people in Hong Kong stops happening, I could give a fvck less about what the Chinese gov loses or how disrespected they are as a result of this.

China is like the 5th grader bullying the 3rd grader until the 8th grader (USA) lifts him up by his neck and just holds him in the air until he feels that he's learned his lesson.

[305Baller]

Tell Hong Kong if they want to join us they need to accept white supremacy, Plato, Kant, Lichtenstein, abortion-control issues, angry rappers, rednecks, the whole shebangabang

oh and Dwyane Wade-led gay parades.


:lol

ps. corrupt capitalism and angry incel-like feminists

(watch em run right back to china hahaha)

[34-24 Footwork]

The funniest part is the reporter asks Trump to make a statement on Hong Kong and he wants no part of that either. He's already promised the Chinese to stay out of the issue. What a chump.

1000% this. Lol.

[bladefd]

We shouldn't, but the truth of the matter is that we can't do anything about it without potentially causing a recession. Is it the athletes/coaches' job to speak out on this issue? No. Do they change anything if they do, other than potentially taking millions out of the league's and their own pockets? No.

Do you want us to go to war with China? That doesn't sound like a good idea.

It's certainly not their job to speak out about human rights, but why should they be explicitly disallowed from speaking? Are we, as US citizens, really going to give up our freedom of speech because China wants us to? China is telling us what freedom of speech here should exclude what they want there but then that is no longer freedom of speech.

War with China? No, you don't need a war with China, but you can't let them get away with murder. Injustice cannot be tossed under the rug because China wants us to - you are empowering China to keep doing whatever they want. It already happened in mid-1930s after the Nazis took over Germany in 1934. China is beyond that point - they already have Concentration camps and are pushing harder into the South China Sea, claiming international waters as part of Chinese borders. They are setting up bases in Africa and creating artificial islands so they can claim South China sea. This is a country known for Tienanmen Square massacre just 30 years ago.

Truth has to mean something, and truth is worth fighting for. Fighting not with guns & tanks but through non-violent diplomatic means. To do that, first you need everyone to know what China is doing. Put it on loud speaker, shout it, get it out there. Humiliate them on global stage with the facts and pressurize them. It probably has to be done on a national level rather than an individual level, but it has to be done.

[DoctorP]

Hong Kong is gonna have to fight this themselves. USA just pulled out of the Syria cause their reserves are running low chasing a wild goose chase.

Trump is scaling back in an attempt to build up his chess pieces. I doubt Hong Kong will get support until they themselves begin their own revolution

thats my guess. im not an expert

[DoctorP]

best thing to do for hong kong is fight their own fight and not expect world support.

america shouldnt be expected to police the world anymore

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/teamamerica/images/b/be/Team_america_world_police_ver3.jpg


IS CANCELLED

[bladefd]

That's easy to say when you have nothing to lose, you're not getting the bigger picture here.

We all have something to lose. You are not getting the bigger picture.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZBoEE2VAAAsEOL.jpg

If you allow China to run amok, they will keep pushing it while we all keep quiet and nobody says anything. I am afraid this behavior from them will be getting worse as the Chinese government becomes more powerful and spreads more of their military from the South China sea to the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. They are not stopping. Totalitarian governments don't stop. They are bound to become a thorn in our back sooner or later unless if they go broke (USSR) or change their behavior. I don't expect either to happen anytime soon.

[DoctorP]

We all have something to lose. You are not getting the bigger picture.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZBoEE2VAAAsEOL.jpg

If you allow China to run amok, they will keep pushing it while we all keep quiet and nobody says anything. I am afraid this behavior from them will be getting worse as the Chinese government becomes more powerful and spreads more of their military from the South China sea to the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. They are not stopping. Totalitarian governments don't stop. They are bound to become a thorn in our back sooner or later unless if they go broke (USSR) or change their behavior.


exactly. a cold war is probably the best non-violent solution

MLK preached NON VIOLENCE remember??

[FultzNationRISE]

We all have something to lose. You are not getting the bigger picture.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZBoEE2VAAAsEOL.jpg

If you allow China to run amok, they will keep pushing it while we all keep quiet and nobody says anything. I am afraid this behavior from them will be getting worse as the Chinese government becomes more powerful and spreads more of their military from the South China sea to the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. They are not stopping. Totalitarian governments don't stop. They are bound to become a thorn in our back sooner or later unless if they go broke (USSR) or change their behavior. I don't expect either to happen anytime soon.


So you supported Operation Iraqi Freedom?

[DoctorP]

So you supported Operation Iraqi Freedom?

nope. :lol

that was Bush and his oil cronies

he had a beef to pick with Saddam (hated his dad).

we just wanted Bin Laden.

https://media.giphy.com/media/uQav5eA0FnzaM/giphy.gif

[bladefd]

exactly. a cold war is probably the best non-violent solution

MLK preached NON VIOLENCE remember??

Cold wars work only if a huge chunk of the world is with you. Against USSR, Europe was with us and we took USSR out of business. Difference was their borders were too vast to operate & defend, and they didn't produce anything. China is night and day in those 2 perspectives. We would need the world to unite against China. Our allies have distanced themselves thanks to the moron in the White House.

[DoctorP]

Cold wars work only if a huge chunk of the world is with you. Against USSR, Europe was with us and we took USSR out of business. Difference was their borders were too vast to operate & defend, and they didn't produce anything. China is night and day in those 2 perspectives. We would need the world to unite against China. Our allies have distanced themselves thanks to the moron in the White House.

yes. Trumps toxic nature has hurt him. He is not a classic politician and likes to stir it up. It's now backfiring

[305Baller]

https://d3bzyjrsc4233l.cloudfront.net/cache/6f/e1/6fe1d7edaa49aba522576f3043fce1a7.jpg

[FultzNationRISE]

nope. :lol

that was Bush and his oil cronies

he had a beef to pick with Saddam (hated his dad).

we just wanted Bin Laden.

https://media.giphy.com/media/uQav5eA0FnzaM/giphy.gif


We liberated a ton of oppressed Iraqis from a cruel, totalitarian regime.


Bladefd just argued the US is morally OBLIGATED to do that.

:confusedshrug:


So he obviously supports the invasion.

[305Baller]

We liberated a ton of oppressed Iraqis from a cruel, totalitarian regime.


Bladefd just argued the US is morally OBLIGATED to do that.

:confusedshrug:


So he obviously supports the invasion.


:lol :roll: :lol

[Embers]

His argument is a bit odd

It appears to me Trump is arguing "Why cant we be more like China" then anything.

The reason the hypocrisy exists is because one is a dictatorship and one is a democracy. Asking of others to treat all countries like dictatorships and thereby the same seems a stupid argument to make when you are in a trade war with them and fighting dictatorship policies yourself