Published: 10:53am, 6 Feb 2025Updated: 10:57am, 6 Feb 2025
Hong Kong’s commerce minister has said the government is considering launching a dispute with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over America’s “unreasonable” tariffs on the city’s goods, but has dismissed concerns about the policy’s impact.
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Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah said on Thursday that the Hong Kong government strongly disapproved of the extra 10 per cent tariffs imposed on products from the city.
He also argued the move showed America’s disregard for Hong Kong’s status as a member of the global trade body.
“We are an independent customs territory. This move is extremely unreasonable and dismissive of WTO regulations,” he told a radio programme.
“We will look into the measure and investigate whether it violates WTO agreements. If necessary, we will not rule out taking action according to the guidelines.”
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Yau said the United States had made a mistake in imposing the additional tariffs and called on them to “handle the decision prudently”.