Hong Kong’s financial services could face increased scrutiny from the United States in 2025 under Donald Trump, while human rights will be “much less important” to his administration, according to political and international relations experts.
But they predicted that radical measures, including de-pegging the Hong Kong dollar and removing the city from the current financial messaging system, were “speculative” and would “face significant resistance.”
As 2025 begins, U.S. sanctions on Hong Kong officials, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, look set to remain in place.
The United States will also begin banning and blocking foreign investment in China’s semiconductor, quantum and artificial intelligence industries, including in Hong Kong, which threaten U.S. national security.
All eyes are on whether Trump, who will be sworn in for a second term as president on Jan. 20, will ramp up pressure on mainland China and Hong Kong, especially given a cabinet that includes at least three China hawks.
The 78-year-old Republican had previously promised to impose a 60 percent tariff on “made in China” goods and secure the release of former media chief Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who is charged with foreign collusion and sedition.
