China frees 3 US prisoners ahead of Trump’s return

In a move that raises more questions than answers, the Chinese government has released three Americans—held for years on dubious charges—just weeks before Donald Trump retakes the presidency. The timing is uncanny, coming days after Trump, 78, announced plans to impose a new 10% tariff on Chinese goods in response to Beijing’s failure to curb fentanyl exports, which have devastated American communities.

The individuals freed include:

• Mark Swidan, a Texas businessman sentenced to death for questionable drug offenses stemming from a 2012 arrest.
• Kai Li, a solar cell entrepreneur jailed since 2016 on state security charges.
• John Leung, a 78-year-old American sentenced to life in prison on espionage allegations in 2021.

The Biden administration, in its waning days, touted the release as a diplomatic win. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) took a victory lap, crediting President Biden’s “personal engagement with Xi Jinping” during the recent APEC summit in Lima, Peru.

But let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t just about diplomacy; it’s about leverage.

Trump’s Tough Stance: A Game-Changer

While Biden may celebrate this development, it’s impossible to ignore the timing. Trump’s impending return to the White House has already sent shockwaves through Beijing. Just days ago, he announced plans for a punitive tariff targeting Chinese fentanyl exports, which have claimed nearly 300,000 American lives during Biden’s term.

Trump didn’t mince words, stating:

“Representatives of China told me that they would institute their maximum penalty, that of death, for any drug dealers caught doing this but, unfortunately, they never followed through, and drugs are pouring into our Country… Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% tariff on all their many products coming into the United States.”

This is classic Trump—unapologetic, clear, and action-oriented. Compare that with Biden, whose administration has maintained Trump-era tariffs but failed to apply the kind of pressure that forces real results.

The Elephant in the Room: Biden’s Weakness on China

Let’s not forget, Biden’s track record on China is far from pristine. The Biden family’s murky business ties to Chinese state-owned enterprises have long been a point of contention. Deals involving Hunter and James Biden, facilitated during Joe Biden’s vice presidency, have raised serious questions about the administration’s ability to take a hard line on Beijing.

Even Trump himself said last year:

“Biden was bribed and now he’s being blackmailed.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this sentiment, noting that Biden’s “soft” approach to China could very well stem from those business entanglements.

A Calculated Move?

It’s hard not to see this as Beijing hedging its bets. With Trump back in power come January, China knows the days of business-as-usual diplomacy are over. Trump’s first term saw him slap tariffs on $362 billion worth of Chinese goods and demand accountability for the COVID-19 pandemic, which the FBI believes originated from a Wuhan lab leak.

Now, Beijing appears to be offering olive branches, releasing long-detained Americans like Swidan, Li, and Leung. Is it goodwill? Or is it a desperate attempt to stave off Trump’s wrath?

The Bigger Picture

Trump’s return to the White House signals a seismic shift in U.S.-China relations. The era of placating Beijing is over. As Trump gears up to hold China accountable for its fentanyl exports and COVID-19 culpability, the question isn’t whether tensions will escalate—but how far they will go.

The American people deserve leadership that puts their safety and prosperity first. For four years, Trump delivered on that promise. Come January, it’s clear that the stakes will be even higher.