Trump Signs Hong Kong Bills Into Law, Drawing Backlash From China
President Donald Trump signed bills that could remove Hong Kong from receiving special customs and export controls treatment and restrict exports of rubber bullets, tear gas and other items to the region. The bills (see 1911200036), signed Nov. 27, led to backlash from China, which said the country is prepared to retaliate. “We urge the U.S. to not continue going down the wrong path, or China will take countermeasures, and the U.S. must bear all consequences,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Nov. 28.
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The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act passed both the House and Senate earlier this month and requires the secretary of state to certify within 180 days whether Hong Kong continues to warrant special treatment in customs and export control areas. The bill also requires the Commerce secretary to submit a report to Congress about possible Hong Kong violations of U.S. sanctions and export controls. A separate bill restricts U.S. exports of tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, foam rounds, bean bag rounds, pepper balls, water cannons, handcuffs, shackles, stun guns and tasers to Hong Kong.
In a Nov. 27 statement, Trump said he “signed these bills out of respect for President Xi [Jinping], China, and the people of Hong Kong. They are being enacted in the hope that Leaders and Representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all.” Trump also said certain provisions of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act “would interfere with the exercise of the President’s constitutional authority to state the foreign policy of the United States.” He added that the administration “will treat each of the provisions of the Act consistently with the President’s constitutional authorities with respect to foreign relations.”
Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Bob Menendez, D-N.J., applauded Trump’s decision to sign the bills, in a Nov. 27 press release, saying they are glad to see bipartisan support that will support Hong Kong residents. The bills give the U.S. “stronger legislative tools” to counter Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong, Cardin said. Risch added that the bills will help the U.S. hold China's government “accountable” for human rights violations in Hong Kong.