Back in mid-July, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, had signed an executive order ending Hong Kong’s special status. This occurred after Secretary of State Michael Pompeo notified the Congress that the White House no longer regarded Hong Kong as autonomous from mainland China, according to Washington Post.
Following this piece of news, it was reported that the Hong Kong exporters to the US will no longer be able to label their goods as “Made in Hong Kong”.
According to the Hong Kong Free Press, the US Customs and Border Protection agency said in a notice yesterday (11 August) that all exports from Hong Kong must indicate their origin as China in the future.
The notice revealed that Mr Trump suspended the application of section 201(a) of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 due to the fact that “Hong Kong is no longer sufficiently autonomous to justify differential treatment in relation to China”.
“Pursuant to section 202 of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, the President suspended the application of section 201(a) of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, as amended… due to the determination that Hong Kong is no longer sufficiently autonomous to justify differential treatment in relation to China.”
It was also reported that this particular change was applicable as of 29 July, however, businesses in Hong Kong will be allowed a 45-day transition period after the order is published in the US federal register.
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government responded that this change was an affront to the World Trade Organization rules.
“The rule may not be consistent with WTO rules, and it will also not help protect consumers’ interest. In fact, it will only cause confusion and affect the interests of all parties, including the US.”
