Senator Calls on U.S. Consumers to 'Punish' Companies Bending to China

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), one of the most vocal lawmakers against China's increasing control over Hong Kong, slammed the NBA and U.S.-based multinational companies on Thursday, saying that American consumers should "punish" them for doing business as usual in China while gross human rights abuses persist in Hong Kong.

"I think being pro-democracy is a pretty low bar," Hawley told Cheddar. "Every American agrees that the right to speak, the right to assemble, the right to worship, the right to vote, these are pretty basic things, and I don't think it's too much to ask for these companies that have made millions, billions, in China — have shipped our jobs to China, to at this point say 'We still believe in the right to speak freely for heaven's sake.'"

"If they are not willing to take a stand and say 'Hey, we support basic democratic rights,' I think consumers should punish them." he added.

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