US President Donald Trump signed two laws on Wednesday supporting the pro-democratic movement in Hong Kong. Both laws had already been passed by the US Congress.

The legislation was adopted unanimously by the United States Senate. In the House of Representatives, only one member voted against.

One of the new laws stipulates that the US government must check every year whether Hong Kong still has enough autonomy to maintain a special trade status with the US. Sanctions can also be imposed if human rights are violated in Hong Kong and China.

In addition, Trump signed a law prohibiting the export of weapons such as ammunition, tear gas and pepper spray to the Hong Kong police.

China has already stated its opposition to the legislation. The country threatens to take countermeasures. The Hong Kong government says that American laws are sending a wrong signal to the demonstrators.

Republican congressmen had been calling on Trump for some time to support the protests in Hong Kong. For months, protests have been going on in the special administrative region between pro-Beijing people and demonstrators who want less influence from China.

In the night from Sunday to Monday, the “pro-democrats” won the district elections.