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Hong Kong Fears Trump Will End Special Trading Status

  • U.S. president has unilateral right to change city’s status
  • Beijing moves have spurred questions about Hong Kong autonomy
Residential and commercial buildings are seen from Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.

Residential and commercial buildings are seen from Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.

Photographer: Billy H.C. Kwok/Bloomberg
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Hong Kong business groups are starting to worry the Trump administration will open the door to ending the financial hub’s preferential trade status, rendering it “just another Chinese city” as its government gets closer to Beijing.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission stoked fears last month with a recommendation that Congress reassess Hong Kong’s special trading status for some sensitive U.S. technology imports. It said Beijing’s statements and legislative actions “continue to run counter to China’s promise to uphold Hong Kong’s autonomy.”