US-China: Canada Reports Looming Huawei CFO Extradition Request

The Canadian Ambassador to the United States David MacNaughton told media about the U.S.' intention to request the extradition of Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou but did not specify when it would be officially filed.

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The request would need to be processed by Jan. 30, which complies with the required 60-day period, according to Reuters.

Meng was released on bail in December 2018. If Meng is extradited to the United States, she could be tried and face up to 30 years in jail, if found guilty.

Meng is wanted by U.S. authorities for allegedly misleading multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions.

The arrest was a serious breach of Ms. Meng's rights, according to the Chinese vice foreign minister Mr. Le Yucheng, the act “ignored the law, was unreasonable” and it amounted to an “extremely nasty” type of foreign policy.

The date limit for the extradition request coincides with the next round of negotiations on United States’ President Donald Trump trade war against China, which is set to be held in Washington D.C. on Jan. 30 and 31.

Fears are mounting over a continued trade war between the United States and China and its impact on the world economy, as the global expected growth is projected to be lower in 2019, according to International Monetary Fund forecasts.

“In October, the IMF cut its global growth forecasts on the back of increased trade tariffs between China and the United States,” according to CNBC.

The Chinese government has tried to calm fears about the arrest of Huawei CFO derailing the trade talks, while the United States has inflamed the situation by pursuing the extradition request.