Hong Kong no longer deserves special US status, Pompeo says

ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress that Hong Kong does not warrant economic privileges under the US law as it is "no longer autonomous from China".

He said Beijing's plan to impose the new security laws was "only the latest in a series of actions that fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedom".

While Pompeo made no recommendations, it's now up to President Donald Trump to decide whether some or all of its privileges will be taken away.

Visa and economic sanctions are also among a long list of possible responses the US leader could look into. 

Trump's already at loggerheads with Beijing over trade and the coronavirus pandemic, with a strong response set to be announced next week.

More from International

  • Azerbaijan and Armenia to sign peace agreement, White House says

    Azerbaijan and Armenia will sign an initial peace agreement on Friday to boost economic ties between the two countries after decades of conflict, the White House said, with President Donald Trumpset to welcome the leaders of both nations for a signing ceremony at the White House.

  • India pauses plans to buy U.S. arms after Trump's tariffs

    New Delhi has put on hold its plans to procure new U.S. weapons and aircraft, according to three Indian officials familiar with the matter, in India's first concrete sign of discontent after tariffs imposed on its exports by President Donald Trump dragged ties to their lowest level in decades.

  • Germany halts military exports that could be used in Gaza, Merz says

    The German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday in response to Israel's plan to expand its military operations there.

  • Xi orders 'all-out' rescue as floods kill 10 in northwest China

    President Xi Jinping on Friday ordered "all-out" rescue efforts in China's arid and mountainous northwest after flash floods caused by exceptionally heavy rain killed 10 people and left 33 missing.

  • Israel approves plan to take control of Gaza

    Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza early on Friday, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of the entire strip.