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Hong Kong formally demands US drop ‘Made-in-China’ labelling regulations by Trump

  • Commerce secretary Edward Yau says WTO settlement mechanisms could be next step, depending on response to letter sent to US trade representative
  • City’s trade offices in the US and representatives at the global trade body have also been instructed to convey Hong Kong’s opposition to new rules

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The administration of US President Donald Trump has said Hong Kong-made products exported to America must be labelled “Made In China”. Photo: AFP
Ng Kang-chungandGigi Choy
Hong Kong has formally written Washington demanding it drop new regulations requiring locally made products exported to the US to be labelled “Made In China”, saying the city could take the matter to the World Trade Organisation.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah reiterated on Wednesday that the sanctions were unreasonable and said he had asked the US consulate in Hong Kong to convey a letter to trade representative Robert Lighthizer making clear the city’s opposition to the move, announced in August.

Yau also said he instructed the city’s trade offices in the United States and representatives at the WTO in Geneva to convey the same message to the American side.

“Depending on the response, we reserve our right to take the matter forward, including the dispute-settlement mechanism under the WTO,” Yau told a press conference.

“The basic reason for Hong Kong’s action is that such a requirement on origin marking is contrary to WTO regulations, and also it infringes Hong Kong’s rights as a separate customs territory and our rights under the WTO, so we take issue with that.”

Hong Kong is an independent member of the global trade body.

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