
WASHINGTON -- With an election looming in November, U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his administration's offensive against China through both rhetoric and action as he combats presumptive Democratic rival Joe Biden.
Trump ratcheted up the pressure this month in quick succession. He signed an executive order last week that would ban U.S. transactions with ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, within 45 days -- a measure to force the company to divest the popular app. Washington levied sanctions Friday against senior Chinese officials accused of involvement in Beijing's crackdown in Hong Kong, including Carrie Lam, the territory's chief executive.