Conservative MP Michael Chong said this past week's virtual consular visits to Micahel Kovrig and Michael Spavor should have happened much sooner

In his remarks, Pompeo echoed the Trump administration's harsh criticism of Beijing, which increased after the coronavirus was first detected in China, and as the U.S. Nov. 3 presidential election neared.

The State and Treasury departments announced new sanctions as the White House denounced authorities in Hong Kong for postponing local government elections ostensibly because of the coronavirus pandemic.