USTR to step up enforcement of U.S.-China trade policy

USTR to step up enforcement of U.S.-China trade policy    The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will develop an internal task force to ensure China complies with its trade obligations with the United States.
   The USTR announced the task force in a report released Tuesday to Congress. The report, “U.S.-China Trade Relations: Entering a new phase of greater accountability and enforcement,” provides lawmakers with a “top-to-bottom review” of China’s compliance with U.S. trade rules during the past four years.
   USTR is keen on China doing a better job at opening its markets to American shippers and enforcing intellectual property rights.
   “The volume of counterfeit goods from China seized at the U.S. border continues to rise,” the USTR report said. “Commerce will be working aggressively with Customs and Border Protection to track down Chinese shippers that have evaded duties.”
   The USTR report also said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will increase monitoring of China’s agricultural trade compliance. In the addition, the USTR report said it’s important for the United States to deepen its involvement with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
   Industry groups embraced the USTR’s report as move in the right direction for U.S. policy toward China trade.
   “The patience of American business with China is not limitless,” said Myron Brilliant, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vice president for East Asia, in a statement Tuesday. “China must deliver on past promises and address U.S. commercial concerns over its lax enforcement of intellectual property rights and breaches of WTO (World Trade Organization) market access commitments.”
   Brilliant added: “Dialogue remains the preferred approach to moving the U.S.-China trade agenda forward, but if China continues to falter in key areas, the chamber will support the administration in all appropriate courses of action.”
   To read the compete USTR report, access online: https://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/2006/asset_upload_file921_8938.pdf