The Trump administration is reportedly considering using rarely invoked U. S. trade laws to compel China to crack down on theft of copyrights, patents and o
NEW YORK – The Trump administration is reportedly considering using rarely invoked U. S. trade laws to compel China to crack down on theft of copyrights, patents and other intellectual property and fend off technology-sharing demands from Beijing.
The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported Wednesday that U. S. trade officials are discussing ways to counter piracy and other practices deemed harmful to American businesses.
The reports come as the administration signals a harsher stance on trade than in its first six months.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, in a commentary in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal, outlined a slew of grievances against both China and the European Union that he said contributed to the U. S. trade deficit in goods of $725.5 billion in 2016 — $347 billion of which was with China.
“Both China and Europe also bankroll their exports through grants, low-cost loans, energy subsidies, special value-added tax refunds and below-market real estate sales, among other means, ” Ross wrote.
