Hong Kong will file complaint to WTO on US tariffs, official says
Add BT as a preferred source
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
HONG Kong will file a complaint on recent US tariffs imposed on the city to the World Trade Organization (WTO), claiming the US has completely ignored the city’s status as a separate customs territory, Chief Secretary Eric Chan said on Tuesday (Feb 11).
“This is absolutely inconsistent with the WTO rules. Of course, they have totally disregarded Hong Kong is a separate customs territory,” Chan, the China-ruled city’s number two official, told reporters.
“We will file a complaint to the WTO regarding this unreasonable arrangement,” he said without giving specifics.
Chan was responding to a US decision to impose 10 per cent tariffs on goods from the Asian financial hub as US President Donald Trump targets Chinese imports.
The US Postal Service last week suspended all inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong, then reversed that decision soon afterwards.
The move to stop accepting parcels from China and Hong Kong had caused chaos and confusion among retailers and express shipping firms over how to deal with the US tariffs.
Navigate Asia in
a new global order
Get the insights delivered to your inbox.
“All I can say is the policies are mercurial,” said Chan.
Trump’s move also included closing the “de minimis” duty exemption for packages valued at under US$800, with the stated aim of stopping the flow of fentanyl and precursor chemicals into the United States.
Hong Kong has long been known as a free and open trading hub, but China’s imposition on Hong Kong of a sweeping national security law in 2020 drew criticism from the US and led it to end the former British colony’s special status under US law, escalating tensions between China and the US.
The US subsequently stipulated that goods made in Hong Kong for export to the US needed to be labelled as made in China, ending one of Hong Kong’s longstanding competitive advantages as a trading hub. REUTERS
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
TRENDING NOW
China pips the US if Asean is forced to choose, but analysts warn against reading it like a sports result
Beijing’s calculated silence on the Iran war
Shelving S$5 billion office redevelopment plan proved ‘wise’ as geopolitical risks mount: OCBC chairman
Vietnam formalises new state leadership, redefining ‘four pillars’ power balance
