What Happened

FILE - The U.S. and Chinese People dinner of President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14, 2026, in Beijing. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption

The Commerce Ministry U.S. made commitments issues and other matters during the U.S.- Madrid last year. The U.S. recently confirmed President's Executive Normalization would end, the ministry said in a statement responding to media questions.

"The U.S. side's actions represent an important step in fulfilling the consensus reached during the bilateral economic . China appreciates it," it said.

immediately implications of the decision are. referred questions about the executive order lapsing to the Treasury Department.

Why It Matters

The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a statement Friday that the national emergency declared in the executive order had expired delisted people who were sanctioned . people who remain sanctioned under another act related a different sanction list.

The statement showed Hong Kong leader predecessor, Carrie Lam, were removed second one.

The U.S. decision came two months after President Donald counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. between 's expected U.S. . Earlier this month, a pastor of a prominent underground church who was detained October was released after Trump brought .

Trump signed the now-expired executive 2020, during response to Beijing imposing a national security . Trump's renewed for a 2025.

What Comes Next

, longer sufficiently autonomous to justify differential treatment in relation to mainland China under certain laws. It eliminated the preferential treatment extent permitted national security, foreign policy, and economic interest of the United States.

China considers the national security necessary to restore stability massive anti-government protests in 2019. The pro-democracy movement biggest challenges to the Communist Party in Beijing government since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

's introduction, many leading activists, including pro-democracy former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, were imprisoned under it. Critics say the Western-style civil liberties that Beijing promised to maintain for 50 handover have declined.

Hong Kong government said in a statement "positive U.S. policy" toward the city.

"Safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability serves the common interests , and also aligns with the general expectation of the international community," it said.

U.S. will respect China's sovereignty resume normal economic and trade exchanges .

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