US sanctions bill in response to Hong Kong national security law gets final Senate approval
- The Hong Kong Autonomy Act requires mandatory sanctions against foreign individuals and banks over the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy
- The bill’s passage comes as the administration has already taken a number of punitive measures against China in response to the national security law
The US Senate on Thursday gave its final approval to legislation requiring mandatory sanctions against foreign individuals and banks over the erosion of Hong Kong autonomy, setting up the bill’s passage to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature.
The Hong Kong Autonomy Act was approved by the group via unanimous consent, one day after the bill was passed by members of the House of Representatives.
The bill also directs the government to levy sanctions against any foreign financial institution for knowingly conducting business with those designated individuals.
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The US State and Treasury departments will determine which institutions or individuals are subject to sanctions. Though primarily targeting foreign banks, the law would apply to foreign subsidiaries of US institutions.