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US bans "Made in Hong Kong" label, WTO ruling inconsistent with WTO rules, Hong Kong government welcomes

2022-12-21T15:23:35.061Z


From the end of 2020, the United States will require that all products exported from Hong Kong to the United States can no longer be labeled as "Hong Kong" but must be labeled as "China". The World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body established a panel of experts to


From the end of 2020, the United States will require that all products exported from Hong Kong to the United States can no longer be labeled as "Hong Kong" but must be labeled as "China".

The Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization set up a panel of experts to hear the dispute, and it ruled earlier that it did not comply with WTO rules.

The Hong Kong government expressed its welcome tonight (21st) to welcome the WTO Dispute Settlement Body's expert panel's ruling that the United States' rules on origin marking of Hong Kong products are not in compliance with WTO rules.


The picture shows on March 4, 2021, the organization logo installation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

(Reuters)

Hong Kong government: The WTO expert group completely denies the US claim to promote the correction of regulations

According to the announcement of the Hong Kong government, the WTO expert group has submitted a ruling report to the dispute settlement body, clearly ruling that the United States’ regulations on origin marking of Hong Kong products do not meet the requirements of the most-favored-nation treatment of origin marking in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, and Completely deny the claim of the United States citing the security exception clause, and suggest that the United States correct its provisions.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Yau Ying-wah said: "We welcome the panel's full affirmation of Hong Kong, China's status as a separate customs territory. The ruling proves once again that the United States ignores international trade rules and attempts to unilaterally implement discriminatory and unfair regulations and unreasonably suppress Hong Kong products and companies politicize economic and trade issues.”

Qiu Yinghua.

(File photo/Photo by Xia Jialang)

Qiu Yinghua also said, "The United States is forcing Hong Kong products to change their origin marks entirely out of political motives, weaponizing trade, and trying to interfere in Hong Kong's internal affairs. The United States has ulterior motives, will not succeed, and will not be accepted by the international community. The regulations imposed by the US on Hong Kong products are not only unreasonable, but also seriously violate WTO rules, completely disregard the rules-based multilateral trading system, and irresponsibly damage Hong Kong's rights and interests as a WTO member. The SAR government strongly condemns it."

Qiu Yinghua emphasized: "In the report, the expert group has clearly refuted the erroneous and unreasonable views of the US side, and clearly ruled that the US's actions violated WTO rules. I immediately wrote to the US Trade Representative, urging the US to respect the ruling and immediately withdraw its illegal measures. "

A government spokesman stated that according to Articles 116, 151 and 152 of the Basic Law, the SAR is a separate customs territory and can participate in international organizations such as the WTO under the name "Hong Kong, China", and Establish mutually beneficial economic and trade relations with various economies in the world.

The spokesperson also stated that Hong Kong's unique status has always been widely recognized and respected by the international community, and that the rights and obligations it enjoys in the WTO are the same as those of other WTO members.

Marking Hong Kong products with the "Made in Hong Kong" mark has been accepted internationally for many years. This is not only in line with the fact that Hong Kong is a separate customs territory and the relevant WTO regulations, but also provides consumers with clear and correct information on the origin of origin.

The spokesperson pointed out that starting from November 10, 2020, the United States requires that all products exported from Hong Kong to the United States can no longer be labeled as "Hong Kong" but must be labeled as "China".

The SAR government immediately argued for it through bilateral and multilateral channels.

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body agreed to the request of Hong Kong, China at its meeting on February 22, 2021, and established an expert group to hear the dispute.

Yau Teng-wah: The process of customs clearance should be prudent. "You can't just look at one side of the door." The US bans the label "Made in Hong Kong".

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2022-12-21

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