Donald Trump signs new legislation targeting China’s actions against Hong Kong

US President Donald Trump has signed a new law that punishes China after it implemented controversial national security legislation.

Donald Trump has signed legislation and a new executive order to hold China accountable for its actions against Hong Kong.

The US President also announced that he signed an executive order ending the preferential treatment that Hong Kong has long enjoyed.

“Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China,” he said from the White House Rose Garden today. “No special privileges, no special economic treatment and no export of sensitive technologies. In addition to that, as you know, we are placing massive tariffs and have placed very large tariffs on China.”

At the start of July, the US Senate approved its final version of a new law that would punish China for harming democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.

The measure would impose sanctions on businesses and individuals that helped China restrict Hong Kong‘s autonomy.

The measure was approved by unanimous consent and was awaiting Mr Trump’s signature.

It comes after the Chinese Government brought a new national security law into effect earlier this month that would further restrict the freedoms of people living in Hong Kong.

The Trump administration has been openly critical of the law, which also bans literature critical of the Chinese Communist Party.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deemed it an “Orwellian move” and an assault “on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong”.

It’s just one of several ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing. The Trump administration has repeatedly blamed China for the unfolding health crisis caused by the coronavirus, accusing Beijing of withholding information and allowing the virus to spread as far as it did.

At this press conference he reiterated he held Beijing responsible for concealing coronavirus at the start of a now global pandemic and “unleashing it upon the world”.

“Could have stopped it,” Mr Trump said. “They should have stopped it.”

Washington has also criticised Beijing for its illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea, and over trade.