Revive alliances, strengthen the American economy and work cautiously with Beijing where necessary.
China’s decision to impose new anti-subversion legislation on Hong Kong is a mistake — a blow to the city’s autonomy that will undermine its economic success. And it is further proof, if any were needed, that the U. S. needs a smarter, more effective strategy to deal with the People’s Republic.
On Friday, President Donald Trump promised targeted sanctions and trade restrictions in response to China’s move and to a long list of existing grievances. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had already declared Hong Kong no longer “sufficiently autonomous” under U. S. law to qualify for the special trade status it’s enjoyed until now.
In deciding how to follow through, the administration should move carefully. It need not, and should not, plan to cancel all of Hong Kong’s economic privileges, because that would hurt Hong Kongers without changing minds in Beijing. The U. S. also needs to apply short-term pressure in other ways — by leading international criticism of the new Chinese initiative at next month’s Group of Seven summit and working with U. S. businesses to highlight the potential economic consequences.
Mainland officials have reassured businesses that the new decree won’t affect them, but critics are right to be concerned. The decision to impose “an enforcement mechanism for ensuring national security” on Hong Kong’s Basic Law bypasses the city’s legislature and raises doubts about whether its judicial independence can be sustained. The new rules will likely also open the door to further interference, calling into question the freedoms that have helped Hong Kong prosper. This will help nobody — least of all China.
In less than 30 years, Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” guarantee expires.
