The US will bar the export of weapons and sensitive technology to Hong Kong, as it revokes the territory’s special trade status in response to China’s imposition of national security legislation on the Asian financial hub.
Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, said the Trump administration could “no longer distinguish between the export of controlled items to Hong Kong or to mainland China” in the wake of Beijing’s decision to introduce the controversial legislation, which could come into force this week.
Wilbur Ross, commerce secretary, said he was suspending the preferential treatment Hong Kong received in terms of exempting US companies from having to apply for export licences that apply to sales to mainland China.