MKsports south China, Nov. 25, 2024. A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet comprising the Hainan amphibious assault ship and the Changsha missile destroyer visited Hong Kong from Nov. 21 to 25. (Photo: Xinhua)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-11-26/a1b0d8e0-ef7a-4d02-b939-f39a804079b1.jpeg" />

A fireboat of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government performs a water gate ceremony for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2024. A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet comprising the Hainan amphibious assault ship and the Changsha missile destroyer visited Hong Kong from Nov. 21 to 25. (Photo: Xinhua)

In a recent interview with local media outlet RTHK, Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau expressed strong dissatisfaction with the US decision to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods, which also applies to products from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), according to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Yau said the decision disregards Hong Kong's status as a separate member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and violates the Basic Law, which clearly states that Hong Kong is an independent customs territory, RTHK reported on Thursday. He also emphasized that the US action harms the interests of all parties involved.

Yau stated that the HKSAR government would closely monitor the situation and assess whether the US measures violate WTO regulations before taking further action.

Responding to a question on US tariffs on Chinese goods, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that the US has levied a 10 percent additional tariff on Chinese imports under the pretext of the fentanyl issue. China firmly deplores and opposes this move. The measures China has taken are necessary to defend its legitimate rights and interests.

There is no winner in trade war, tariff war, Lin said, adding that pressures and threats on China will not work.

China urges the US to correct its erroneous practices, resolve respective concerns through equal consultations, and promote the stability of China-US relations, said Lin.

A research article published by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) on Tuesday highlighted that US imports from Hong Kong totaled $4.12 billion in 2023, incurring $58 million in import duties. With the additional 10 percent tariff in place, Hong Kong products would have faced an extra $411.6 million in duties that year, while Chinese mainland products would have incurred an additional $42.08 billion in tariffs.

According to Thursday's media report, Yau stated that the US tariff policy would impact Hong Kong's trade, particularly its export environment. However, he stressed that Hong Kong businesses had already adapted to geopolitical shifts and changes in international trade by diversifying their supply chains and production bases.

In recent years, the HKSAR government has actively explored emerging markets to help local enterprises expand into other economies, Yau added. He noted that Hong Kong's exports to the US account for only a small fraction of its total exports, meaning the overall impact should be limited. 

He added that the HKTDC and the Belt and Road Office would lead business delegations to the Middle East and Southeast Asia to seek new trade partnerships. Additionally, Hong Kong will continue signing free trade agreements with various economies to expand market access and mitigate negative impacts.

In a policy reversal, the US Postal Service (USPS) announced on Wednesday that, effective February 5, it would continue accepting all international inbound mail and packages from the Chinese mainland and Hongkong Post.

Earlier on Tuesday, the USPS had announced a temporary suspension of inbound parcels from the Chinese mainland and HKSAR.

Commenting on the suspension and subsequent reversal, Yau said Hongkong Post is actively addressing the issue and investigating specific concerns, including parcel volumes and US handling procedures. He assured that Hongkong Post would make appropriate arrangements based on actual conditions to assist the public and engage with US authorities as soon as possible.

China has formally launched a dispute at the WTO over tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Chinese goods, the Geneva-based body said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.