Hong Kong brands, long considered to be of higher quality, seek ways of coping with ‘Made in China’ labelling rule
- Hong Kong brands are recognised as makers of high-quality goods, Hong Kong Brand Development Council chairman says
- Companies such as Lee Kum Kee and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery to rely on production queues outside city
Hong Kong businesses whose products are recognised globally as being of a higher quality and refinement are working on strategies to cope with a new US requirement that all exports from the special administrative region be labelled as “Made in China” after September 25.
“In the long term, companies might need to draw up individual sales plans that suit their own capabilities, to cope with the growing uncertainties in the US market,” Leung said.
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Hong Kong rejects US rule for ‘Made in China’ labels
The order was signed in response to Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong, which the Trump administration considers as hurting the city’s autonomy.
The city’s exports to the US amounted to US$471 million last year, or 0.1 per cent of its total exports, according to government data. But Hong Kong is studying the World Trade Organisation rule book for ways to challenge the US over the labelling requirement.
“Some US clients specifically want ‘Made in Hong Kong’ products – they do not accept goods made in China. Hong Kong brands are recognised as makers of high-quality goods, not only in the US but also Europe and Australia, ” Simon Wong Ka-wo, chairman of the Hong Kong Brand Development Council, said in an interview.