Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee met with reporters today (Nov. 12) before the Executive Council meeting. When asked about the impact of Donald Trump's election as U.S. President on the economic and trade relations between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the United States, Lee expressed a desire to develop fair and free trade relations with various economies, including the U.S. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect and the promotion of win-win trade relationships, while also maintaining a baseline approach to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong enterprises.
Lee highlighted that the U.S. enjoys significant economic interests in Hong Kong, noting that the trade surplus with Hong Kong over the past decade has reached $271.5 billion. Additionally, more than 1,200 American companies operate in Hong Kong, and U.S. firms consistently rank among the top three foreign companies in the region. These figures demonstrate the close economic ties between Hong Kong and the U.S., with American businesses holding substantial interests in the territory.
He stressed the importance of mutual respect in trade relations with any country, including the U.S., pointing out that trade benefits both parties and that the U.S. can gain more from its trade with the HKSAR. Lee reaffirmed Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law and free trade, expressing hope that all nations will respect the HKSAR and refrain from using politics to interfere with its judicial, commercial activities, and trade relations.
Lee stated that as one of the world's most open economies, Hong Kong has always pursued free and open trade and supports multilateral trade initiatives. He noted that while the HKSAR values traditional markets, it is also committed to exploring emerging markets. Hong Kong welcomes normal trade exchanges, economic activities, and cultural interactions with various economies, including the U.S. Furthermore, Hong Kong will strive to strengthen traditional markets while continuously promoting regional cooperation and developing new markets, particularly in ASEAN, the Middle East, and Belt and Road Initiative countries.
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