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US allows Hong Kong emergency to lapse, but preferential treatment still blocked
The expiry does not automatically restore Hong Kong’s special status for trade and export controls, and related laws under the US Treasury remain unaffected.
The Hong Kong government welcomed the Trump administration’s decision to let a US national emergency declaration covering the city expire, but Washington said an executive order ending Hong Kong’s preferential treatment remains in force, according to SCMP Economy.
The emergency declaration helped underpin Washington’s move to end differential treatment for Hong Kong in areas including trade and export controls, the outlet reported. A US State Department spokesperson said the president allowed the emergency to end, while Executive Order 13936 continues to apply.
SCMP Economy also reported that the expiration will not automatically bring back Hong Kong’s special treatment, including for trade and export controls. The US Treasury said the lapse does not apply to or affect two related US laws, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 and the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020.