The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) “as soon as possible” following the United States’ announcement that it will impose additional 10 percent tariffs on goods imported from China.
“We have already announced that we will make a complaint to the WTO regarding the US’ imposition of duties on Chinese goods. It takes time to make preparations, and we are still studying the strategy,” said Algernon Yau Ying-wah, secretary for commerce and economic development.
“We will take a comprehensive look at the situation and seek clarification on whether the latest additional tariffs also apply to goods from Hong Kong. We will file a complaint to the WTO as soon as possible based on our needs.”
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Yau reiterated that the effect of such tariffs on Hong Kong will “not be significant” as goods exported from Hong Kong to the US account for a very small portion of the city’s total export volume — about 0.1 percent of Hong Kong’s total exports.
US President Donald Trump announced on social media on Thursday that an extra 10 percent duty will be levied on Chinese imports effective March 4, which will double the tariffs to 20 percent. Tariffs of 10 percent were imposed in February.
Yau’s remarks came two days after Hong Kong’s 2025-26 Budget was delivered, in which consolidating strengths in Hong Kong’s traditional industries such as international trade was highlighted.
Hong Kong will expand its trade network and attract more inward investment and enterprises from the Global South markets to the city, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his budget speech.
Yau said Hong Kong is in talks with Malaysia and Saudi Arabia on establishing economic and trade offices in Kuala Lumpur and Riyadh respectively, as the SAR government seeks to strengthen trade ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Middle East.
The city is also exploring investment agreements with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Peru and seeking to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he added.
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“The US needs to respect Hong Kong as a free trade port,” said Hong Kong lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai. “To deal with the challenges, Hong Kong should seek trading opportunities with Belt and Road countries, and explore countries with stable policies to collaborate with.”
Jeff Lam Chak-fai, lecturer of the Treasury Markets Association and School of Professional and Continuing Education of Hong Kong University, said imposing tariffs on other countries is “Trump’s negotiation tactic”.
“China is a major trading partner of the US. If the US imposes new tariffs on China, domestic commodity prices in the US will rise, leading to rising inflation. Given the matter, I believe Trump will not rashly increase tariffs on China in the future,” Lam said.
Contact the writer at thor_wu@chinadailyhk.com