Washington (CNN)Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused the National Basketball Association of acting "like a wholly owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime" in China, in a speech that also chided Beijing for economic and human rights abuses.Other 'wholly owned subsidiaries' include.....
The closely watched address was seen as a barometer of the US administration's approach to China as President Donald Trump works to complete a partial trade deal within the next few weeks.
Over the summer, Trump ordered the speech delayed around the same time he told Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call he would remain quiet on Hong Kong protests as trade talks progressed.
The speech Pence delivered Thursday sought to balance conciliation on trade with a critique of China's human rights crackdowns, including in Hong Kong. His accusation against the NBA, along with the sneaker manufacturer Nike, of ranking business interests over American values stood in contrast to Trump's own willingness to prioritize trade talks over condemning Beijing's actions in Hong Kong.