HKSAR Government files first written submission to WTO panel in respect of US' requirement on origin marking
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The submission explains in detail Hong Kong's position that the US' requirement, amongst others, unlawfully discriminates against goods of Hong Kong origin, and is inconsistent with multiple WTO covered agreements, including the Agreement on Rules of Origin, the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994.
"Hong Kong is a founding member of the WTO by virtue of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong is a separate customs territory, and may, using the name 'Hong Kong, China' (HKC), participate in relevant international organisations and international trade agreements. The special status of Hong Kong has been widely recognised and respected by the international community, and Hong Kong's economic and trade status is on par with that of other WTO members," the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said.
"The US has imposed such a discriminatory and unjust requirement for political reasons unrelated to a proper determination of the place of origin of the goods as required under the various WTO covered agreements. This approach improperly interjects political considerations into a purely technical exercise to determine a product's origin under WTO rules. This approach, if accepted, would undermine the critical role that accurate origin determination plays within the rules-based multilateral trading system," Mr Yau said.
At the same time, the requirement to mark goods originating in Hong Kong as originating in another WTO member has increased the cost and complexity of exportation for Hong Kong enterprises by forcing them to segregate their products based on different markets of destination, putting them at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis other WTO members, he said.
The WTO DSB acceded at its meeting on February 22 to Hong Kong's request to establish a panel to consider HKC's dispute. The Director-General of the WTO subsequently appointed a three-member panel to examine the dispute on April 29. The panel is proceeding in accordance with procedures as set out in the WTO Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, including to consider written submissions by HKC and the US as well as 13 other WTO members who have reserved their rights to join as third parties to the dispute.
Ends/Friday, May 28, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:30
Issued at HKT 16:30
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