The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has announced its intention to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the United States' recent decision to impose an additional 10-percent tariff on Hong Kong products.
A spokesperson for the HKSAR government stated that the U.S. measures violate WTO rules and disregard Hong Kong's status as a separate customs territory, as outlined in Article 116 of the Basic Law. This article grants Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, including its own economic and trade policies, which are recognized by the WTO.
In response, the HKSAR government will utilize the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism to challenge what it deems unreasonable measures and to defend its legitimate trading rights. The spokesperson emphasized Hong Kong's strong support for the rules-based multilateral trading system and called on the United States to rectify its actions promptly.
This move underscores the ongoing tensions in international trade relations and highlights Hong Kong's commitment to maintaining its separate economic identity on the global stage. As the dispute progresses, stakeholders worldwide will be watching closely to see how it unfolds and its potential impact on global trade norms.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
