Long overdue.

Trump's ultra-cringe-inducing rhetoric for foreign strongmen aside, one of the aspects of this Administration I have appreciated is the use of tariffs to address trade imbalances and other misbehavior by foreign actors.

Especially the Chinese Reich.

For years, the response to IT theft, hacking and currency manipulation was a bipartisan shrug. The money flowed to shareholders, so all was well.

Not any more. Now, in addition to tariffs and working with other nations to shut Huawei out from 5G networks, we're shutting down a consulate. 

The United States ordered China to close its diplomatic consulate in Houston within 72 hours, dealing another blow to the rapidly deteriorating relations between the two countries. China promptly vowed to retaliate, calling the move illegal.

The State Department said the closure was made in response to repeated Chinese violations of American sovereignty, including “massive illegal spying and influence operations.”…

The State Department spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, said the order to close the consulate showed that the United States would not tolerate China’s “egregious behavior.”

“The People’s Republic of China has engaged for years in massive illegal spying and influence operations throughout the United States against U.S. government officials and American citizens,” Ms. Ortagus said in a pointed and politically tinged statement.

"Politically-tinged" is apparently a synonym for "indubitable." As Ed Morrissey points out in the Hot Air link, the accusations against China are well-supported and of long duration.

Glad to see all of this. Beijing has built up a legacy of bad will and finally there are consequences.