The reported decision to let lapse a U.S. executive order issued during President Donald Trump's first term in response to Beijing's imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong would mark a significant reversal for Washington, and comes after recent trade talks between the two sides. | REUTERS
REUTERS
Jul 18, 2026
BEIJING/WASHINGTON – The United States on Friday partially restored Hong Kong’s special legal status that was revoked by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020, a move lauded by China as “a more positive direction” for U.S.-China relations.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced that it allowed the expiration of an executive order issued during Trump’s first term in response to Beijing’s imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong.
The July 14, 2020 order, which had been extended annually for the past five years, declared a national emergency over China’s security crackdown on Hong Kong, imposing sanctions on individuals associated with it and suspending special economic and trade privileges.
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