The ministry said it would use the sanctions to “safeguard China’s legitimate interests.” according to the BBC.
“The U.S. attempt to obstruct the implementation of the national security law for Hong Kong will never succeed,” the ministry’s statement said. “We urge the U.S. side to correct its mistakes, refrain from implementing the act and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs in any way. China will firmly respond if the U.S. goes ahead.”
The Chinese statement came shortly after Trump’s Tuesday press conference, where he spoke about his new executive order that would end preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong following a new national security law enacted by China’s government. The same day, Trump also signed a bill imposing sanctions on Chinese officials, businesses and banks that help China restrict Hong Kong’s autonomy.
“Today I signed legislation, and an executive order, to hold China accountable for its aggressive actions against the people of Hong Kong,” Trump told reporters during the press conference. “Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China.”
He added, “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.”
Trump’s comments referred to the new national security law recently imposed on Hong Kong by the Chinese government. The law, which is a sweeping change for the city, effectively outlaws criticism of the Chinese government there. Violators will be punished in Hong Kong for subversion, secession and terrorism, according to the law’s wording.
According to the executive order, released by the White House on Tuesday, any dealings involving U.S. property by anyone responsible for “actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, stability, or autonomy of Hong Kong” would be blocked.
The executive order also tells officials to “revoke license exceptions for exports to Hong Kong,” as well as eliminating “the preference for Hong Kong passport holders as compared to [People’s Republic of China] passport holders.”
Since the security law was first introduced, Trump and his administration have been increasingly critical of the Chinese government.
On May 21, Trump said that if China passed the national security law, the U.S. “would address that issue strongly,” A few days later, on May 26, he told reporters that “we’re doing something now. I think you’ll find it very interesting.”
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross made similar comments during an appearance on Fox Business Network’s Mornings With Maria in May.
“There’s a whole menu of potential things that [Trump] could do,” Ross said. “And I’m sure they’re working right now on how to refine the thinking and come up with something that’s an appropriate response.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House and the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
