Kurt Tong, the outgoing US Consul General in Hong Kong was barred by the U.S. State Department from giving a tough valedictory speech because of fears criticism of government actions could offend Beijing and derail a trade war truce agreed by Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at last month’s G20 meeting in Japan. Kurt Tong, a career diplomat, left his post as US Consul General to Hong Kong on July 5, after less than three years in the role. Mr Tong is also retiring from the state department and had told numerous people that he planned to give a “kick-ass” speech on July 2.