Hong Kong to seek ‘win-win’ trade ties with US after Trump’s victory: John Lee

Hong Kong will seek a “win-win” trade relationship with the US after Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election but adopt a bottom-line approach to protect its business interests, the chief executive has said.

City leader John Lee Ka-chiu spoke on Tuesday for the first time about Trump’s re-election, saying anyone seeking trade relations with the city should not interfere in local affairs or the rule of law.

“We hope to develop fair and free trade relations and promote mutually beneficial and win-win trade relations with the principle of mutual respect,” said Lee when asked by the Post to comment on the potential policies targeting Hong Kong from US President-elect Trump.

“But we will also adopt a bottom-line thinking to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong businesses,” he added.

Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, pledged during his campaign to slap 60 per cent tariffs on “Made in China” goods as part of a broader strategy to prioritise American industry.

The US president-elect also vowed last month that he would “100 per cent” get former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying out of China after he had secured his second term. Lai is behind bars awaiting the resumption of his high-profile national security trial.