Pence Accuses Nike, NBA of Pandering to China
Pence calls Nike, NBA’s position on China ‘un-American’
Vice President Mike Pence called out Nike and the NBA, criticizing them and other American businesses operating in China for “muzzling not only criticism” of the Chinese government but even muting their “affirmative expression of American values.”
Citing reports that Nike stores in China removed Houston Rockets’ merchandise from their stores, the vice president said that while the company “promotes itself as a social justice champion,” they “check their social conscious at the door” when it comes to Hong Kong.
Pence blasts Nike over Hong Kong stance—says it checked ‘social conscience at the door’
Vice President Mike Pence offered a withering critique of Nike and the National Basketball Association in a Thursday speech, saying the sports apparel giant and pro-basketball league caved to Beijing pressure over comments made earlier this month by one of its officials in support of Hong Kong protesters.
Pence Says N.B.A. and Nike Left ‘Conscience at the Door’ Over China
WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday criticized American companies and institutions for silencing speech that expresses support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, saying the companies should adhere to American values while doing business with China.
In a wide-ranging speech on the Trump administration’s China policy, Mr. Pence accused the N.B.A. and Nike of checking their “conscience at the door” when it comes to China.