US Eases Some Hong Kong Sanctions but Keeps Territory’s Special Status Revoked

Post by : Saif

United States has partially eased sanctions and trade restrictions imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 but has confirmed that the territory will not regain its special autonomous status under US law.

The decision follows the expiration of portions of an executive order signed during President Donald Trump's first term, while several sanctions and legal restrictions remain in force.

US Ends National Emergency Order

The US Treasury Department said it has allowed the national emergency provisions of Executive Order 13936 to expire after five annual renewals.

The order was introduced in 2020 following China's implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which Washington argued had significantly reduced the city's autonomy.

US officials stressed that the expiration applies only to the national emergency declaration and does not remove all sanctions related to Hong Kong.

Special Status Not Restored

The US State Department clarified that Hong Kong remains insufficiently autonomous to receive different treatment from mainland China under relevant US laws.

As a result, the territory will continue to face the same treatment as China in areas including export controls and several trade-related policies.

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Some Sanctions Still Remain

The Treasury Department said restrictions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 and the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020 remain fully in effect.

Officials added that sanctions will continue against 38 of the 49 individuals previously targeted under the executive order, despite the expiration of certain provisions.

According to the Treasury, the move is part of broader efforts to streamline sanctions by removing overlapping measures while maintaining key restrictions.

China Welcomes the Decision

China's Commerce Ministry described the US decision as a positive development and said it reflects progress following recent trade discussions between Washington and Beijing.

Chinese officials urged the United States to further restore normal trade and economic cooperation with Hong Kong and to respect China's sovereignty.

Trade Relations Still Unchanged

Although some sanctions have expired, US officials said Hong Kong's overall trade and customs treatment remains unchanged.

The city has been treated the same as mainland China on tariffs and export controls since 2020, and there has been no indication that those broader policies will be reversed.

The announcement comes as both countries continue efforts to stabilise bilateral relations following recent trade negotiations.

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