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One-stop service platform by the Trade and Industry Department on US' trade restrictive measures and trade conflict between the US and the Mainland:
Tel: 2398 5405; Email: acr_reg@tid.gov.hk |
US "Section 232 Investigation" Tariff Measures
The US Department of Commerce released on 16 February 2018 the "Section 232 investigation" reports relating to the threatening and impairment of US' national security by imports of steel and aluminium products. As a result, since 23 March 2018, the US, allegedly for national security reasons, has imposed tariffs of 25 per cent and 10 per cent on steel and aluminium imports respectively on a global scale, including Hong Kong, and only certain economies are excluded. For key developments of the measures, please refer to related Commercial Information Circulars.
The HKSAR Government opposes the unreasonable and unjust measures by the US and has been following up the issue through various channels. On the bilateral level, apart from filing formal representations to the US administration to express our opposition, the Government has also urged the US administration to exclude Hong Kong from the subject tariff measures. On the multilateral level, Hong Kong has participated in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) panel work as a third party and stated strong opposition to the US' implementation of the subject tariff measures.
On 9 December 2022, the WTO DSB Panel ruled that the US' imposition of global tariffs on steel and aluminium imports is inconsistent with WTO rules.
Response of the HKSAR Government
- HKSAR Government welcomes WTO rulings that the US' global tariffs on steel and aluminium imports violate WTO rules (10 December 2022)
- Imposition of tariffs by the United States on certain imports from Hong Kong (25 April 2018)
- SCED meets US Consul General on exclusion from aluminium tariff (15 March 2018)
- Hong Kong, China registers grave concern about US' plan to unilaterally raise tariffs on steel and aluminium products at WTO General Council Meeting (7 March 2018)
- SCED speaks on US investigation reports on imports of steel and aluminium (27 February 2018)
WTO Dispute Panel Reports regarding US Measures on Steel and Aluminium Products (9 December 2022)
Commercial Information Circulars
Responsive Measures of the Mainland on US Trade Restrictive Measures