Vice President Mike Pence speaks about the U.S.-China relationship, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the ... [+] Wilson Center's inaugural Frederic V. Malek Public Service Leadership Lecture, in Washington. Crucial quote: “By exploiting corporate greed, Beijing is attempting to influence American public opinion in an attempt to influence public opinion, coercing corporate America,” Pence said. The tweet angered fans and government authorities in China and led to “dramatic” financial losses in the area, where the NBA has been growing in a market estimated to be worth more than $4 billion. Meanwhile, the NBA’s response to the tweet, which said it “deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable” has drawn criticism in the U.S. for caving to China’s more restrictive approach to free speech. Key background: Lawmakers are becoming increasingly worried about China’s growing influence in the U.S. economy and in the lives of U.S. citizens, expressing concerns that China is using its economic power to suppress free speech in the U.S. Democrats and Republicans have both criticized the NBA for its handling of the scandal.

Source: Forbes October 24, 2019 21:33 UTC