Trump's UK Cash Grab Makes Jimmy Lai's Supporters Look Foolish

Trump's putting his domestic chaos on the back burner to fly into the UK with a squad of American corporate heavyweights. The lineup alone tells you everything – this visit is all about the money. Britain's in financial hot water and desperately needs its "big brother" to throw them a lifeline, preferably in the form of reduced tariffs. Everything else? Secondary at best.

The world's always been about profit, and international relations are no different. Yet somehow, the "Save Jimmy Lai" crowd still thinks they can ride Trump's UK visit to pressure Prime Minister Keir Starmer into action. Seasoned observers say it’s nothing more than another desperate game.

Trump and Starmer have bigger fish to fry than Jimmy Lai – the fish called money

Trump Sees Dollar Signs in Brexit Britain

Trump won't take his "Save Lai" promises seriously, and Starmer won't turn against Beijing over this. These two have serious deals to hash out – why would they waste time on a discarded chess piece?

Britain might be struggling, but its international financial foundation is still rock solid. Plus, they've got decent footing in cutting-edge tech like AI, semiconductors, and communications. Trump sees the potential – with the right control, this benefits America big time.

With Brexit cutting Britain off from EU support, it's a golden opportunity for America to expand its economic dominance. The calculation is crystal clear from this UK delegation's lineup.

The Corporate All-Stars Making the Trip

Trump's bringing the A-team of American corporate giants. On the AI front, there's NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The finance world's represented by senior executives from Bank of America, Citigroup, S&P, and BlackRock.

These major players are expected to pump £1.25 billion in fresh investment into Britain while strengthening trans-Atlantic financial ties. The US and UK will also ink deals on AI cooperation and civil nuclear energy development.

Starmer's hoping to sweet-talk Trump into easing those tariff burdens, especially fulfilling promises to cut steel and aluminum duties. Bottom line? Both sides want the same thing – making money is what matters most.

The Save Lai Camp's Pipe Dreams

Even though the chances of US-UK leaders pushing for "freeing Lai" this time are practically zero, the "Save Lai" camp is still clinging to hope, treating this as another shot at their long-shot gamble.

The anti-Hong Kong organization Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation (CFHK) recently staged a symposium in Washington, gathering their usual collection of hawkish politicians. One agenda item? Urging Trump to propose joint US-UK efforts to secure Jimmy Lai's release during his sit-down with Starmer.

These people have deep-rooted connections with Jimmy Lai. CFHK Chairman James Cunningham, the former US Consul General to Hong Kong, maintained cozy relationships with Lai before, during, and after his tenure, helping connect Lai with American political figures – he was also one of the masterminds behind Hong Kong's unrest.

Two other congressmen – Republican Chris Smith and Democrat Jim McGovern – are the driving forces behind the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, persistently trying to destroy Hong Kong's trade offices. Both have been cheerleaders for "freeing Lai."

Meanwhile, IPAC (Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China), which keeps popping up in Lai's case, has organized "17-nation parliamentarians" (including UK, Canada, France) to write letters to their respective governments. They're urging these countries to follow Trump's earlier example and speak out for Jimmy Lai's release.

The timing is obviously coordinated with Trump's UK visit – pressuring the British government while reminding Trump of his "Save Lai" promises.

The 'Save Lai' brigade thinks Trump's UK visit is their moment – they're dreaming

A Game with No Winners

Friends in the know pointed out that their elaborate performance is just another fool’s errand. Trump's track record of unreliability speaks for itself – this UK visit is about courting his "little brother" and closing major deals. Even if he mentions Lai's case, he won't be serious about it.

As for Starmer, his Business Secretary Peter Kyle just got back from China, working hard to strengthen Sino-British trade cooperation to ease Britain's economic troubles. How could he possibly turn against Beijing over Lai's case?

In the eyes of US-UK leaders, Lai has become nothing more than political baggage. The Save Lai camp's belief that they can capitalize on this opportunity is naively laughable.

Lai Ting-yiu

What Say You?

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

As the Year of the Horse approaching, Hong Kong BNO holders in the UK are bracing for a gut punch. The festive season brings no joy—only anxiety. Mid-February marks the deadline for the UK government's consultation on raising permanent residency thresholds, and the verdict on whether BNO holders get a pass is about to drop.

The Home Office floated immigration reforms that would keep the "5+1" rule intact—five years of residence before you can apply—but the bar just shot up, with higher English proficiency requirements and stable income. For many, these hurdles are insurmountable.

Mahmood's stonewalling to BNO holders' demands signals bad news. The February verdict looms.

Hong Kong BNO holders fired off "five demands" to the authorities, pleading for relief. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's response was ice cold. Zero acknowledgment of their demands. Her dismissive tone signals one thing: exemptions for BNO holders look dead in the water.

If the final call goes all the way, thousands who waited five years will crash at the finish line. A return wave to Hong Kong is inevitable. The Hong Kong government needs to get ready.

The Dual Knockout Blow

The UK government didn't just raise the bar—it installed a double gate that slams shut on 60,000 people. First gate: English proficiency must hit B2 level, equivalent to A-Level, practically university standard. Second gate: annual income over the past three to five years must reach at least £12,570, with tax records to prove it.

Surveys by Hong Kong migrant organizations paint a grim picture: if these "dual requirements" become reality, 30% of BNO holders—roughly 60,000 people—will fail to qualify and get filtered out. No wonder panic is spreading.

While anxiety mounts, the UK government plays coy. Ambiguous statements. Equivocal attitudes. Nobody can read their hand. Now, with just one month until the announcement, BNO holders are reaching peak agitation. A group of Hong Kong voters in Mahmood's constituency drafted a joint letter, restating the "five demands" and requesting a face-to-face meeting to apply pressure.

Mahmood responded quickly—but only to say Hong Kong BNO holders could apply for permanent residency after five years. As for the "five demands"? Crickets. Instead, she reiterated that those granted permanent residency must meet three criteria: being "well-integrated," "economically self-sufficient," and "committed” to the communities they join.

Mahmood Goes Silent

One Hong Kong BNO holder who signed the petition decoded those three phrases: "integration" and "commitment" are code words for English proficiency and income levels. Translation: BNO holders applying for permanent residency must also clear these two hurdles.

These Hong Kong residents sent a follow-up letter to Mahmood, requesting a meeting to present their case in person. Her response? Radio silence. Phone calls to her constituency office go unanswered. She's clearly ducking any face-to-face encounter.

Mahmood is stonewalling, and nobody can do a thing about it. Frustrated BNO holders vent to yellow media outlets, angrily branding her "heartless." But here's the reality check: the Labour government's approval ratings are tanking. Reform UK is breathing down their necks on immigration. Immigration policy will err on the side of restriction, not relaxation. Naturally, they're inclined to treat BNO holders the same as everyone else. No special treatment. No "sentiment." The "five demands" might as well be whispers in the wind.

Two Paths Forward

Friends living in the UK lay out the scenario: if the UK government announces "no relaxation" next month, BNO holders who can't meet the requirements face two choices.

First option: return to Hong Kong and start over. After all, life in the UK hasn't been entirely rosy—living day after day in anxiety. "Returning home" might actually be a relief.

Second option: continue to "temporarily reside" in the UK on a BNO visa, becoming long-term temporary residents. But they'll remain in an unstable state, which won't be comfortable.

There's also a thornier complication: some BNO families migrated to the UK with their parents, and one spouse hasn't worked or earned any income for several years. If these family members don't meet the criteria for applying for permanent residency, it could trigger family separation or force the entire family to return to Hong Kong. They'll face an agonizing decision. Quite a mess.

No exemptions? Brace for the return wave.

My friend predicts that if the worst-case scenario materializes, a return wave is sure to come. For Hong Kong, there will be upsides and downsides. Either way, the government needs to get ready and figure out how to handle it.