Congress·In Committee·S. 3655

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

Hong Kong Trade Offices: Review of Special Privileges

2 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

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Key Points

This bill requires the Secretary of State to decide every year if the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the U.S. should keep their special legal status. These offices currently enjoy many of the same privileges as foreign embassies, such as tax exemptions and certain legal protections.
If the government finds that Hong Kong is no longer truly independent from China, these offices would be forced to shut down within 180 days. This would affect the three existing offices currently operating in Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco.
The goal is to ensure the U.S. does not give special treatment to a government that has lost its autonomy. Lawmakers are concerned that China is using these offices to spread propaganda and justify the crackdown on human rights and democracy in Hong Kong.
The plan also bans U.S. government agencies from partnering with these offices to promote tourism or business if those promotions claim Hong Kong is still a free and autonomous city. It aims to stop the U.S. from accidentally helping with Chinese government messaging.
While this move pressures China to respect Hong Kong's rights, it could lead to more tension between the U.S. and China. Closing the offices might also make it harder for some businesses to get direct information about trade and culture in the region.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jan 15, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 2661Related bill

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

Apr 7 — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.