Hong Kong’s leader has expressed confidence in the city’s ability to maintain its economic growth and overcome geopolitical challenges through multiple measures, despite the US “tariff weaponisation”.
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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made his positive remarks on Tuesday, days after US President Donald Trump threatened, in a social media post, a 100 per cent tariff increase on Chinese goods and export controls on all “critical software” starting from November 1.
Lee said that his administration would “closely monitor the situation, respond pragmatically and safeguard Hong Kong’s rights and interests” in response to the uncertainties brought about by the United States’ weaponisation of tariffs.
“As long as we work together to embrace change and also strive for innovation, Hong Kong opportunities will outweigh challenges,” he said before a meeting with the Executive Council, the city’s top decision-making body.
“So be confident. We need to innovate and work together.”
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Lee said he was confident that the city’s gross domestic product would achieve the government’s forecast growth of 2 to 3 per cent this year, compared with 2024.