Hong Kong Commerce Department Officially Requests Withdrawal of Mandatory "Made in China" Labeling
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Right after the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favor of China in the tariff dispute imposed by the United States against China, the Hong Kong government reportedly sent a request to the U.S. opposing the mandatory labeling of Hong Kong products as "Made in China" and asked for the measure to be withdrawn.
According to foreign media including Bloomberg on the 17th, the Hong Kong government officially notified the U.S. the day before that it opposed the mandatory "Made in China" labeling requirement for Hong Kong exports demanded by the U.S. government and requested its withdrawal. On the same day, Edward Yau, Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, met with Paul Horowitz, Acting U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong, and reportedly asked him to deliver a letter to Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), requesting the withdrawal of the mandatory "Made in China" labeling for Hong Kong exports.
Through the letter, Secretary Yau reportedly stated, "The unilateral and irresponsible attempt by the U.S. to undermine the status of Hong Kong as an independent customs territory is highly inappropriate and violates WTO regulations," adding, "We are an independent member of the WTO." The WTO ruling in favor of China in the first-instance tariff dispute between the U.S. and China is interpreted as prompting Hong Kong to also oppose the U.S. position.
Previously, on the 11th of last month, the U.S. announced under President Donald Trump's executive order that starting September 25, it would mandate the labeling of Hong Kong products as "Made in China." Subsequently, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it would delay the enforcement date to November 9 to give exporters more time to prepare for the mandatory labeling. Hong Kong immediately opposed this U.S. measure and declared it would file a complaint with the WTO, but until now had not officially responded.
Secretary Yau stated, "Hong Kong has clearly opposed this measure since the day the U.S. announced it," adding, "Time was needed to understand and prepare for the measure." He emphasized, "Although Hong Kong products exported to the U.S. represent a small portion of total exports, the impact of this measure is very significant for companies that depend on the U.S. market." The U.S. is the second largest export destination from Hong Kong after China, accounting for about 7.7% of Hong Kong's total exports last year, mostly jewelry, food, and electronics.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
