Saturday, August 19, 2017

US Takes Major Step Towards Trade War With China


On Friday, U.S Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer  formally initiated an investigation of China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The investigation will seek to determine whether acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.

“On Monday, President Trump instructed me to look into Chinese laws, policies, and practices which may be harming American intellectual property rights, innovation, or technology development,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “After consulting with stakeholders and other government agencies, I have determined that these critical issues merit a thorough investigation. I notified the President that today I am beginning an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.”

According to John Carney at Breitbart:
 Ordinarily, a Section 301 investigation would not result in any action for several months. But the timeline might be accelerated on this investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Trump administration has already collected much of the information it needs to conclude that trade sanctions are appropriate to respond to China’s attempts to steal the intellectual property of U.S. companies.
  -RW

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