Trump wants to look at Chinese practices forcing American companies to share intellectual property to gain access to the world’s second-largest economy.
Even as he seeks Beijing’s help on North Korea, President Donald Trump is poised to seek a trade investigation of China for the alleged theft of American technology and intellectual property.
Trump is expected to sign an executive order Monday asking his trade office to consider the probe. In the midst of a 17-day vacation, Trump plans to leave his New Jersey golf club and return to Washington to sign the order.
WATCH: Trump demands China act on North Korea after latest ballistic missile test
There is no deadline for deciding if any investigation is necessary. Such an investigation easily could last a year.
In a phone call Friday, Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for backing the recent U. N. vote to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea, and the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. But Trump also told Xi about the move toward a possible inquiry into China’s trade practices, according to two U. S. officials familiar with that conversation. They were not authorized to publicly discuss the private call and spoke on condition of anonymity.
WATCH: Trump backs off calling China a currency manipulator
China announced Monday it will cut off imports of North Korean coal, iron and lead ore and other goods in three weeks under U. N. sanctions imposed against Pyongyang.
Trump wants government officials to look at Chinese practices that force American companies to share their intellectual property in order to gain access to the world’s second-largest economy. Many U. S. businesses must create joint ventures with Chinese companies and turn over valuable technology assets, a practice that Washington says stifles U. S. economic growth.
