EU Considering Export Restrictions, Other Measures in Response to Beijing's Actions in Hong Kong

The European Union is considering countermeasures, including export restrictions, in response to Beijing’s interference in Hong Kong’s autonomy, Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said during a July 13 press conference. The measures will include a “package” of EU-wide restrictions, although some member states may announce their own national measures in the “coming days,” Borrell said.

Borrell declined to list specifics but said member states discussed the possibility of restricting exports of sensitive technologies to Hong Kong. He did not mention possible sanctions. “Everything will be done in coordination with Member States and the package of measures will constitute a comprehensive European Union response,” Borrell said.

Borrell called Beijing’s so-called national security law “draconian” and said member states “continue to stand” by the people of Hong Kong. “To China, the message is that the recent actions change the rules,” Borrell said. “This will require a revision of our approach and will clearly have an impact on our relations.”

Both the U.S. (see 2006290063) and Canada (see 2007080008) have announced restrictions on certain exports to Hong Kong, and the U.S. Congress recently passed a bill that authorizes sanctions against Chinese officials and foreign banks associated with passing the Hong Kong law (see 2007020046). Several members of the United Kingdom’s Parliament have advocated for Chinese sanctions over Hong Kong as the U.K. rolls out its sanctions regime in preparation for officially leaving the EU (see 2007020014).