London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

US senators move to pressure China with Hong Kong sanctions bill

US senators move to pressure China with Hong Kong sanctions bill

Proposed legislation seeks to punish individuals who curb city’s freedoms and is response to controversial national security law put forward by Beijing. Trump says White House will ‘do something’ about Hong Kong issue by end of week

Lawmakers in the United States on Tuesday hoped to ratchet up pressure on Beijing over moves from the Chinese government to crack down on Hong Kong’s autonomy, even as President Donald Trump told reporters his administration would soon “do something” about the situation.

US senators have proposed a bill that would allow for sanctions against anyone with a role in violating “China’s obligations to Hong Kong under the [Sino-British} Joint Declaration and the Basic Law”, and on banks who do business with them.

The bipartisan “Sanctions Bill to Defend Hong Kong’s Autonomy” is the work of Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen and Republican senator Pat Toomey, and is in response to what Toomey’s office calls “increasingly brazen interference from the Chinese Community Party”.

The bill’s proposal follows a new national security law for Hong Kong put forward by Beijing last week that would ban treason and other perceived offences in the city.



The Chinese government’s move was met with widespread dismay and alarm in Hong Kong, a city that has already been roiled this year by massive pro-democracy protests, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic lawmakers in Hong Kong have said that the Chinese law would effectively spell the end of the “one country, two systems” model under which the city is governed.

“The communist regime in Beijing would like nothing more than to extinguish the autonomy of Hong Kong and the rights of its people,” Toomey said. “This bipartisan legislation will impose strict sanctions on those who undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy or contribute to the erosion of basic freedoms and rights enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong.”

The American bill is seen as a kind of follow-up to another law passed last year – despite multiple warnings from Beijing – that would strip Hong Kong of its valuable special trading status with the United States if it is no longer considered autonomous.

The newly proposed legislation goes many steps further, creating a clear legal pathway for comprehensive US sanctions on a range of targets perceived in having a hand in cracking down on the city: from Hong Kong police to Chinese officials and – crucially – the financial institutions that do business with them.

In another key difference, the bill will effectively circumvent any opposition from Trump, allowing Congress to vote to override the White House if the president waives any sanctions against individuals.

While Trump has taken a hard line against China in public, especially around the country’s handling of the coronavirus and a perceived trade imbalance, he has so far proven reticent to take concrete action in defence of Hong Kong, including delaying a widely-anticipated decision to certify Hong Kong’s continued autonomy.

But there are signs that inaction from the White House may be coming to an end. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the president signalled that he would be taking a tougher line with Beijing over its handling of Hong Kong.



When asked if he was prepared to use sanctions against China over the issue, Trump said: “We’re doing something now. I think you’ll find it very interesting … It’s something you’re going to be hearing about … before the end of the week – very powerfully.”

Lawmakers meanwhile are hoping that their bill can pass quickly and lead to concrete sanctions in time to dissuade Beijing from its current course.

“I urge the Senate to take up this bill immediately – it’s clear we have no time to waste … We want to make sure that we’re squeezing those individuals who are at the heart of these decisions to deprive the people of Hong Kong of their right,” Van Hollen said on Tuesday.

“In many ways, Hong Kong is the canary in the coal mine for Asia,” Toomey said. “Beijing’s growing interference could have a chilling effect on other nations struggling for freedom in China’s shadow.”




Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×