Gov’t to US: Withdraw erroneous ‘tariff measures as early as possible’

The global trade body said the tariffs on steel imports violated trade measures. 

After the World Trade Organization (WTO) recently ruled that the US’ tariffs on steel and aluminium imports was a breach of global trade rules, the Hong Kong government encouraged the US government to withdraw the erroneous measures immediately.

Former US president Donald Trump sought to impose hefty import tariffs on steel and aluminium. Hong Kong previously filed a formal representation addressed to the Trump’s administration to oppose the tariff hike.

“The Hong Kong SAR Government said the panels' rulings clearly showed that the US abused the concept of national security with the sole aim to politicise economic and trade issues,” said the Hong Kong government.

The US enforced tariffs of 25% and 10% on steel and aluminium imports, respectively, on a global scale due to alleged national security concerns. The measure applies to Hong Kong and only certain economies are excluded, according to the Hong Kong government.

“There is only a minimal amount of aluminium products exported from Hong Kong to the US, and there are no local steel products exported to the US. Such minimal exports cannot be threatening or damaging the US' national security,” the Hong Kong government said.

For this matter, the Hong Kong Government said “it will continue to closely monitor and follow up on the development of the issue.”

“It will also maintain communication with the industry through various channels, review the situation, consider and take corresponding policies and actions to safeguard Hong Kong's trade interests and rights,” the government said.