U.S. amplifying pressure on 'one country, two systems' model via tariffs, asserts Hong Kong's top legal official
Revised Article:
Hong Kong's chief legal honcho, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, has laid blame on the US for attempting to muddle the "one country, two systems" governance model, slapping tariffs on mainland China onto Hong Kong to make folks think there's no distinction.
Speaking on a radio show over the weekend, Secretary for Justice, Paul Lam, defended actions aimed at cutting off fugitives from financial lifelines and support. He asserted such measures were legal and in line with international law. He also dismissed America's allegations that Hong Kong engaged in "transnational repression" of opposition activists abroad.
Lam stated, "The tariffs the US imposed on mainland China are now being applied to Hong Kong. This strategy aim is to blur the one country, two systems principle, and make people feel like there's no difference between Hong Kong and the mainland."
Donald Trump, US President, has piled on cumulative tariffs of 145% on Chinese goods across multiple rounds of escalation, with some products facing an astonishing 245%[1][2].
On April 11, Trump decreed exemptions from his "reciprocal tariffs" on various electronic product categories sourced from China, lasting a month[3].
Unlike China, which applied tit-for-tat tariffs on US imports (at 125%) and import-export controls, among other countermeasures, Hong Kong did not follow suit[3].
Background:
Currently, the US has imposed sizeable tariffs on imports from mainland China. Originally, Trump slapped on a 34% tariff on Chinese imports as of April 9, 2025[3]. Following China's retaliation, which included raising tariffs on US imports to 84%, the US escalated tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, with an extra 20% already in place, totaling 145%[1][2].
- Hong Kong: Despite being included in the initial US tariff announcement, Hong Kong retains its distinct status as a free port and continues to operate under its unique economic system[3]. Businesses using Hong Kong as a conduit for US-China trade may face complications and increased costs due to broader trade hostilities[3].
- Mainland China: The reciprocal tariff on US imports was jacked up to 125% by China, in response to the US increase to 145% on Chinese goods[1]. These tariffs underscore escalating trade tensions with significant trade implications for the relationship between the US and China.
Impact on 'One Country, Two Systems' Principle:
The "one country, two systems" principle grants Hong Kong greater autonomy in economic and political matters than mainland China. The recent tariffs underscore this division:
- Hong Kong's Independence: Hong Kong's free port status and separate trade policies help maintain its economic independence, reinforcing the "one country, two systems" principle. Despite feeling the ripple effects of broader trade tensions, Hong Kong's separate handling of trade relations helps it dodge China's retaliatory measures[3].
- Distinction Between Hong Kong and Mainland China: The disparate treatment of Hong Kong and the mainland in trade policies underscores their distinct economic systems. This distinction is essential for Hong Kong to preserve its role as an international financial hub and stable economic climate amidst global trade conflicts.
- Secretary Paul Lam Ting-kwok, Hong Kong's chief legal honcho, critiques the US for applying tariffs to Hong Kong, asserting that this action muddles the "one country, two systems" governance model by making people feel there's no distinction between Hong Kong and mainland China.
- Paul Lam, Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice, spoke on a radio show and defended actions that cut off fugitives from financial lifelines while also dismissing America's allegations of transnational repression against opposition activists abroad.
- In the realm of finance and political news, it's worth noting that President Donald Trump has imposed gigantic tariffs on Chinese goods, leading to a cumulative tariff of 145% on multiple rounds of escalation.
- Unlike mainland China, which instated reciprocal tariffs of 125% on US imports, Hong Kong did not follow suit, maintaining its distinct status as a free port and unique economic system.
- In the context of policy-and-legislation and general news, the disparate treatment of Hong Kong and mainland China in trade policies underscores their distinct economic systems and is crucial for Hong Kong to preserve its role as an international financial hub and stable economic climate amidst global trade conflicts.
