Hong Kong Launches WTO Dispute Over Marking Change

The Hong Kong ambassador to the World Trade Organization told the U.S. ambassador there that Hong Kong is initiating a dispute, and wants formal bilateral consultations on the U.S. decision to require goods made in Hong Kong to be marked 'Made in China.'

Hong Kong had earlier asked that the decision be reversed (see 2010160028), but this Oct. 30 action starts the clock toward a panel being formed if the U.S. and Hong Kong cannot reach a solution first.

“We took the action in accordance with the spirit and practices of the WTO with a view to resolving the matter with the US through bilateral discussion prior to formal WTO dispute settlement,” Hong Kong's Commerce Secretary Edward Yau said, according to a transcript of a media session on Oct. 30. “However, the US has not made any substantive response to the ... Government's strong objection and request for the withdrawal of the requirement. The US has so far not withdrawn this new origin marking requirement.”