WTO unable to curb many Chinese trade practices, say US companies

(Oct 5): US business groups expressed frustration on Wednesday with what they said are China’s efforts to tilt the economic playing field in favour of domestic companies, adding that World Trade Organization rules are insufficient to police all of Beijing’s trade practices.

US companies face increasing threats from Chinese investment rules, industrial policies, subsidies to state-owned enterprises, excess manufacturing capacity, cybersecurity regulations and forced technology transfers, the groups told a public hearing held by the US Trade Representative’s office.

The session will influence an annual report on China’s WTO compliance by the US Trade Representative’s office as well as a USTR investigation into China’s intellectual property practices that could lead to imposition of trade sanctions by President Donald Trump.

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