Hong Kong wants to be Trump-proof but its hands are tied

Conventional wisdom sees Trump's return as trouble for Hong Kong. A lot depends on Beijing's directives.

- Bhavan Jaipragas

After clawing their way out of recent crises - 2019's political upheaval and the pandemic - Hong Kong's leaders seemed to be finding their rhythm in 2024.

But the prospect of Donald Trump's return to the White House has reignited anxieties.

Governments everywhere are uneasy but, for Hong Kong, the stakes are undeniably sharper.

Balancing Beijing's demands, navigating a fragile global trade environment, and bracing itself for a capricious Trump administration eager to use the city as leverage, it's no wonder a sense of precarity hangs in the air.

The consensus among Hong Kong watchers? The city is unlikely to escape being drawn into Trump's expected escalation with China.

On the surface, the city's leaders are projecting calm, even a que sera, sera demeanour. But beneath the stoicism, the jitters are unmistakable.

Take Ms Regina Yip, the convenor of Hong Kong's de facto Cabinet. Writing in the South China Morning Post on Nov 17, she urged the city to focus on its strengths, particularly its economic ties with the mainland, while bracing itself for Trump's unpredictability.

"As the line-up of key officials in Trump's administration takes shape, only time will tell what his real agenda is," she wrote. "In the meantime, like other parts of the world, Hong Kong must Trump-proof itself by staying calm and strong."

Chief Executive John Lee struck a similarly measured tone.

Asked about Trump's Oct 24 remarks on conservative podcaster Hugh Hewitt's show where Trump vowed to "100 per cent" secure the freedom of detained media mogul Jimmy Lai - Mr Lee simply called for "mutual respect" from other countries.

Trump's comments, however, were anything but subtle. "I'll get him out. He'll be easy to get out. But we don't have people that even talk about it," he declared.

Such a blunt statement would ordinarily provoke a stronger response from Hong Kong officials.