The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today expressed strong disapproval of and discontent with the US’ imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariff on Hong Kong products.

Starting May 2, the US will eliminate the duty-free de minimis treatment for and impose duty on covered goods from Hong Kong.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the US’ measures are bullying and unreasonable, and grossly inconsistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, willfully undermining the multilateral trading system which is the cornerstone for international trade.

Once again, the Hong Kong SAR Government firmly requests the US to withdraw its so-called reciprocal tariff measures.

It said that it will continue to closely monitor and assess any unilateral measures of the US that are inconsistent with fair trade, and take actions to defend Hong Kong’s legitimate interests, including filing of a complaint in accordance with the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

The statement noted that Hong Kong, being a free port, supports and upholds free trade all along, and has never imposed any tariffs on imported goods, including those from the US. The US’ imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariff is illogical.

As a separate customs territory under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong has put in place an effective system for import and export, including the origin certification system, trade declaration and manifest requirements, and has taken robust enforcement actions on this basis.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said the US’ allegation about the imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariff on Hong Kong products due to the risk of transshipment and evasion is ungrounded, fully showing that it is a bullying act for suppressing its competitors.

In 2023, the US was the third largest trading partner of Hong Kong, with the total merchandise trade value amounting to US$60.3 billion. During the past 10 years, the US has realised a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong, the largest among its global trading partners.

The US’ measures are mere unilateral protectionism that harm the interests of all, the statement added.

As for the duty-free de minimis treatment for postal items dispatched from Hong Kong to the US, the US has been repeatedly changing its policies unilaterally.

Hongkong Post has requested the US postal administration to promptly clarify the matter and not cause inconvenience to the public.

From now until May 2, Hongkong Post will temporarily maintain postal services to the US but will not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the US authorities.