WASHINGTON • The United States has formally launched a trade investigation into China’s intellectual property (IP) practices and alleged forced transfer of American technology, which President Donald Trump had called for last week..
WASHINGTON • The United States has formally launched a trade investigation into China’s intellectual property (IP) practices and alleged forced transfer of American technology, which President Donald Trump had called for last week.
The US will investigate China’s policies and practices related to technology transfer, IP and innovation to determine if the behaviour is “unreasonable or discriminatory” or restricts US commerce, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said last Friday.
“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 Mr Lighthizer in a statement. “After consulting stakeholders and other government agencies, I have determined that these critical issues merit a thorough investigation.”
Foreign companies have long complained about Beijing’s failure to protect know-how and patents, and in some cases forcing firms to share information with domestic partners as the price for doing business in the massive Chinese market.
