A closer look Chinese sanctions on Ted Cruz and others

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Photo credit: Bloomberg

Eleven U.S. citizens have been retaliated against and sanctioned by China for putting pressure on the superpower this summer. 

The punished individuals include Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Marco Rubio of Florida, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey and five others. 

“Last month #China banned me. Today they sanctioned me. I don’t want to be paranoid but I am starting to think they don’t like me,” tweeted Sen. Rubio Aug. 10. 

Kenneith Roth, Executive Director of the Human Rights Watch, was also sanctioned by the Chinese government. He called the move a distraction from the massive human rights violations in Hong Kong. Roth was banned from Hong Kong in January because of his searing report on the inhumane treatment of the people of Hong Kong by the hands of their government. 

The White House called the move a “symbolic and ineffectual action” but has not said if President Trump plans to respond with further action.