Hong Kong will not be a ‘voiceless victim’ in US-China trade war, top US envoy to city says
US Consul General Kurt Tong addressed fears that recent friction between two world superpowers could have an effect on Hong Kong
The top US envoy to Hong Kong has sought to ease fears that the city could become a “voiceless victim” in the looming trade war between the US and China, in which Washington has already shown a “yellow card” to Beijing.
US Consul General Kurt Tong described Hong Kong as “visible proof” that an economy could stay competitive while keeping its market open and free, saying the city had a positive role to play by using its “demonstration power” to show China how this worked.
Tong’s comments were made in a lunch speech on Tuesday at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, where he talked about the recent trade friction between the US and China.
The two countries have issued warnings about an escalation of hostilities.
In his speech, Tong stressed that the US valued free, fair, and open trade but accused China of adopting “market-distorting policies and practices”.
