Trump orders probe of China intellectual property rules

AFP, WASHINGTON:  US President Donald Trump will sign a memorandum today that could lead to sanctions against China over its intellectual property practices, administration officials said Saturday.

Trump will direct US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to determine whether any Chinese laws, policies or practices discriminate against or harm American innovators and technology companies, the officials said.

If so, Lighthizer would have “broad powers” to seek remedial action.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, bluntly accused China of “stealing our intellectual property”—long a concern of Western companies seeking a share of the enormous Chinese market.

The new measure comes amid high tensions between Washington and Beijing. Trump has accused China of failing to rein in the nuclear ambitions of its ally North Korea, even as he makes ever sharper threats against Pyongyang. The officials said that matter, and the trade issue, are not linked.

The process Lighthizer will initiate, under Article 302b of the US Commercial Code, could take as long as a year to yield its findings.

The latest step follows the opening by the Trump administration of several other investigations into Chinese commercial practices, notably in the steel sector.

On Tuesday, Washington announced preliminary sanctions against imports of Chinese aluminum foil.

Trump orders probe of China intellectual property rules

AFP, WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will sign a memorandum today that could lead to sanctions against China over its intellectual property practices, administration officials said Saturday. Trump will direct US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to determine whether any Chinese laws, policies or practices discriminate against or harm American innovators and technology companies, the officials said. If so, Lighthizer would have broad powers to seek remedial action. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, bluntly accused China of stealing our intellectual propertylong a concern of Western companies seeking a share of the enormous Chinese market. The new measure comes amid high tensions between Washington and Beijing. Trump has accused China of failing to rein in the nuclear ambitions of its ally North Korea, even as he makes ever sharper threats against Pyongyang. The officials said that matter, and the trade issue, are not linked. The process Lighthizer will initiate, under Article 302b of the US Commercial Code, could take as long as a year to yield its findings. The latest step follows the opening by the Trump administration of several other investigations into Chinese commercial practices, notably in the steel sector. On Tuesday, Washington announced preliminary sanctions against imports of Chinese aluminum foil.