Donald Trump’s promise to free imprisoned Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai remains unfulfilled, nearly a year after he made the vow. Lai, 77, has spent over 1,600 days in prison on charges of colluding with foreign forces and sedition.
Trump had declared that if he returned to the White House, he would free Lai from a Hong Kong prison. However, as president, Trump has taken a more cautious approach, saying he will “bring it up” and do everything he can to save him, but did not guarantee his release.
Lai’s family and supporters remain hopeful that Trump will fulfill his promise, citing his track record of freeing prisoners worldwide. Sebastien Lai, Jimmy’s son, said hearing Trump’s pledge gives the family “a lot of hope.”
The Hong Kong government has maintained a firm stance, urging external forces to stop interfering in the city’s judicial process. Beijing has also opposed external interference, with China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry stating that it strongly opposes using judicial cases as a pretext to interfere in China’s internal affairs.
Despite Trump’s efforts, Lai’s case remains uncertain. The Hong Kong court will hear closing arguments on Friday after a day’s delay due to a rainstorm. It is unclear whether Trump can deliver on his pledge, given his transactional style and unpredictable policy shifts.
Experts say the trade talks with China remain a priority for Beijing, and it is unclear how much pressure Trump will put on Xi Jinping to reach a deal while pursuing Lai’s release. The situation has become a race against time, with supporters of Lai concerned about his deteriorating health and the potential consequences of solitary confinement.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/13/china/trump-jimmy-lai-closing-arguments-intl-hnk