Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trump words on Meng a 'salvo' in trade war: lawyer

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Mar, 2021 08:16 PM
  • Trump words on Meng a 'salvo' in trade war: lawyer

A lawyer for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou is accusing former U.S. president Donald Trump of co-opting her extradition proceedings in an effort to use her as leverage in trade negotiations with China.

Richard Peck told the British Columbia Supreme Court that Trump's words to media after Meng's arrest amount to an abuse of process and a "stain" on proceedings in Canada.

Meng was arrested at Vancouver's airport on Dec. 1, 2018, at the request of U.S. officials on charges of fraud that both she and Huawei deny.

The argument hinges on remarks by Trump 10 days after the arrest when he was asked if the United States would intervene in Meng's case to get a better deal with China.

Peck quotes Trump as saying he would "certainly intervene" if he thought it was necessary.

Lawyers for the attorney general of Canada, who are representing the United States in the case, have said in legal documents that they will say the argument is irrelevant now that Trump is out of office.

"With that utterance, Ms. Meng became a bargaining chip, a pawn in this economic contest between these two superpowers. Those words amount to the opening salvo in this trade war," Peck told the court.

Today marks the beginning of arguments by Meng's legal team that she was subjected to an abuse of process and that the proceedings against her should be stayed.

MORE National ARTICLES

Hospice society gets final notice to vacate space

Hospice society gets final notice to vacate space
Fraser Health says it has ended its $1.5-million annual service agreement with the Delta Hospice Society, which was originally notified a year ago to vacate the premises.

Hospice society gets final notice to vacate space

Blair says Beijing visa applications secure

Blair says Beijing visa applications secure
Blair says he can only make assumptions because the arrangement was put in place in 2008, under the previous Conservative government.

Blair says Beijing visa applications secure

West Vancouver man fined, jailed for tax evasion

West Vancouver man fined, jailed for tax evasion
Court records show Michael Sholz was sentenced Wednesday in provincial court in Vancouver.

West Vancouver man fined, jailed for tax evasion

B.C. Liberal leader to be chosen next year

B.C. Liberal leader to be chosen next year
The party says the winner of its leadership race will be announced on Feb. 5, 2022, after three days of voting by party members.

B.C. Liberal leader to be chosen next year

Secretary of state chats up Trudeau, Garneau

Secretary of state chats up Trudeau, Garneau
Antony Blinken is visiting virtually with Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau as part of the Biden administration's post-Trump fence-mending campaign.

Secretary of state chats up Trudeau, Garneau

B.C. police face investigation over video footage

B.C. police face investigation over video footage
Const. Tania Visintin says the officers responded to calls about a deceased individual at Stanley Park's Third Beach, and waited for the coroner to arrive.

B.C. police face investigation over video footage