US President issues Executive Order expanding sanctions relating to China and revoking Hong Kong’s preferential status

On July 14, 2020, US President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 13936 (the “Order”), which authorizes the imposition of sanctions on additional persons determined to be involved in China’s new national security law (the “National Security Law”) and revokes Hong Kong’s preferential trade treatment. Together with the Hong Kong Autonomy Act 2020 (the “HKAA”), enacted on the same day, the Order is a response to the National Security Law and the latest in a series of recent actions targeting China. On August 7, 2020, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on 11 individuals pursuant to the Order.

Click here to read the full update where we explain the key provisions of the Order in further detail.