Hong Kong authorities on Friday said they will launch proceedings at the World Trade Organization to challenge a demand by the United States to label imports from the financial hub as “Made in China”.
Donald Trump issued an executive order in June declaring the city no longer sufficiently autonomous from the authoritarian mainland after Beijing launched a crackdown against democracy supporters.
The decision, which came as China imposed a sweeping new security law on the business center, reflected Washington’s belief that Hong Kong is now “just another Chinese city” and does not deserve special trade privileges.
The new rules state that products from the city — which used to be allowed to carry a “Made in Hong Kong” label — now needed to say “Made in China”.
On Friday, Hong Kong officials confirmed they would bring the dispute to the WTO’s settlement mechanism.
“The US’ unilateral and irresponsible attempt to weaken Hong Kong’s status as a separate customs territory is highly inappropriate,” secretary for commerce Edward Yau told reporters.
“Such a move also confuses the market and undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system,” he added.