Hong Kong (People’s Daily) – Hong Kong has formally taken issue with the US government today, demanding it immediately withdraw new regulations requiring that locally-made products exported to the US be labelled as “Made in China”.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Mr. Edward Yau had asked the acting US Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau to deliver a letter to trade representative this morning, making clear the city’s strong objection to the move.

“The US’ unilateral and irresponsible attempt to weaken Hong Kong’s status as a separate customs territory is highly inappropriate,” Yau reiterated on Wednesday afternoon that such a move would undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and the government would robustly advance the arguments to defend Hong Kong’s interests.

The city’s economic and trade office in the US and at the WTO also forwarded copies of Yau’s letter respectively on the same day, expressing the same message to the US side.

“The action taken today is in accordance with the spirit and practices of the WTO. Depending on the US’ response, we reserve our right to take the matter forward, including the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, to safeguard Hong Kong’s interests under WTO rules,” Yau added.

The US President Donald Trump’s administration last month stipulated that Hong Kong exporters must relabel their locally produced goods as “Made in China”, with an extended enforcement deadline set for November 9.