If you read the Executive Order (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-or...)
you'll see that this is yet another aspect of Trump's overall policy of confronting China's growing influence. You may disagree with that policy but I think it is a mistake to attribute these actions to "ignorance and pettiness".
In this case its hard not to... These two entities, not the thousands of other Chinese and foreign entities that do business in our country, are being targeted by what is effectively an authoritarian action. There is no national security issue here, at least none that has been disclosed nor processed by our national security teams or Congressional members. Instead, it - like most of Trump's actions, are done for personal gain and spite. And as a result is the most overreaching act by any POTUS in modern history.
I think it is a fools errand to try to rank executive overreach, but how would you compare this to Obama’s drone strike policy and targeted killings including American citizens?
