Published: 19:33, March 4, 2025 | Updated: 10:16, March 5, 2025
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City urges US to take back tariff measures
By Atlas Shao and Wu Menglei in Hong Kong

This undated photo shows the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval over the United States’ decision to impose additional 10 percent tariffs — bringing the cumulative duty to 20 percent — on imports from the city, and pledged to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization.

A government spokesman said the US measure was “grossly inconsistent with the relevant WTO rules, undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and harms the interest of both parties”.

Effective Tuesday, US President Donald Trump initiated a second round of tariffs, which includes additional 10 percent duties on Chinese goods to the US — including imports from the Hong Kong SAR. The move followed earlier 10 percent tariffs imposed on Feb 4.

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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval over the United States’ decision to impose additional 10 percent tariffs — bringing the cumulative duty to 20 percent — on imports from the city, and pledged to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization.

A government spokesman said the US measure was “grossly inconsistent with the relevant WTO rules, undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and harms the interest of both parties”.

Effective Tuesday, US President Donald Trump initiated a second round of tariffs, which includes additional 10 percent duties on Chinese goods to the US — including imports from the Hong Kong SAR. The move followed earlier 10 percent tariffs imposed on Feb 4.

READ MORE: HKSAR govt slams additional US duty on HK products, parcel halt

The central government on Tuesday announced countermeasures to the new US tariffs, including additional 10 to 15 percent tariffs on selected US imports, effective Monday.

Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to the US, who is in Beijing for the annual two sessions, said that history has shown that countries waging a tariff war or a trade war with the intention of harming other economies always end up undermining themselves.

While acknowledging the challenges facing Sino-US relations, Xie called for confidence and determination amid China’s continued development and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He stressed that China must remain steadfast in defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

Contact the writers at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com