U.S. suspends duty-free shipping to Hong Kong

        As diplomatic tensions between the United States and China continue to escalate, the United States government announced the suspension of three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong, including shipping tax exemptions.

　　 According to the US State Department, President Trump has determined that Hong Kong is no longer eligible for the preferential treatment granted by the United States. The three agreements include the surrender of fugitives, the transfer of and convicted prisoners, and the reciprocal exemption of international shipping income.

　　 The termination of the reciprocal taxation agreement means that international shipping companies headquartered in Hong Kong will face total US income tax when shipping goods to the United States.

　　 The US government has terminated the special trade and commercial privileges enjoyed by Hong Kong and imposed sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials involved in the implementation of the new security law, including the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam.

　　 Hong Kong Radio News reported on the 8th that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government issued an English statement in response to US sanctions, stating that this is a despicable act and grossly interferes in Hong Kong affairs. Chief Executive Carrie Lam also responded on behalf of the targeted senior officials and said that he would not be intimidated.