Trump memo could sanction China over IPR

Washington, Aug. 13: US President Donald Trump will sign a memorandum on Monday that could lead to sanctions against China over its intellectual property practices, administration officials said on Saturday.

Mr 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 bluntly accused China of “stealing our intellectual property” — long a concern of Western companies seeking a share of the enormous Chinese market.

The officials said that matter, and the trade issue, are not linked.

The process Lighthizer will initiate, under Article

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

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 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. The US officials said, “Chinese commercial policy has a major goal, the acquisition and the absorption of the intellectual property of the United States.”