Washington returns today for its first full work week of the new year, with many pending actions that could impact US-China trade relations. Some key dates to keep in mind for the coming weeks:
Recommendations by the Commerce department on steel and aluminum imports, related to national security concerns (known as Section 232 investigations, referring to a section under US trade law), are due on January 15 and 22 respectively, starting the clock for the president to make a decision on...
Washington Update
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December 15th, 2017
McMaster: National security policy to be released Monday
National Security Advisor HR McMaster said Tuesday that President Trump will unveil his national security plan next week, which will prioritize four “vital national interests:” protecting the homeland and American people; advancing American prosperity; preserving peace through strength; and advancing American influence. In his speech at a British think tank, McMaster said the policy is intended to counter threats from “...
December 8th, 2017
Hearing scheduled on CFIUS reform
The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing next week to discuss the Committee on Foreign Relations in the US (CFIUS), which reviews foreign direct investment into the United States for national security purposes. While not specifically on one of the reform bills that are pending in Congress, the hearing is widely expected to focus on options included in a measure led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). Witnesses are expected to include former...
December 1st, 2017
United States files WTO brief on China’s nonmarket economy status
The US filed a brief with the WTO Thursday, expanding its legal argument that China should not be treated as a market economy in antidumping cases, an issue that carries implications for the overall US-China trade relationship. Citing sections of Article VI of the GATT 1994, as well as past interpretations and other sections of WTO law, the US said that the WTO had the authority to maintain China’s non-market economy...
November 17th, 2017
Trump returns from Asia trip...now what?
Following his return from a five-country Asia trip, President Trump said Wednesday that his administration had convinced countries in the region that it is necessary to have “free and fair” trade. Trump again faulted past administrations for the US’ current trade deficit. Despite suggestions earlier in the week that Trump would have a “major announcement” on trade, no new actions were announced.
Regarding his time in China, Trump said...
November 3rd, 2017
Trump Asia trip updates
Schedule extended
President Trump leaves today for a stopover in Hawaii before his 13-day, 5-country tour of Asia--the longest trip any sitting US President has made to the region in a quarter century. In addition to his state visit to China, Trump will make stops in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines.The President will attend the APEC summit in Vietnam. Just this morning the White House said Trump would extend his trip to attend the East...
October 27th, 2017
Trump Asia trip updates
Schedule extended
President Trump leaves today for a stopover in Hawaii before his 13-day, 5-country tour of Asia--the longest trip any sitting US President has made to the region in a quarter century. In addition to his state visit to China, Trump will make stops in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines.The President will attend the APEC summit in Vietnam. Just this morning the White House said Trump would extend his trip to attend the East...
October 20th, 2017
USCBC is closely following China’s 19th Communist Party Congress this week. China’s new political leadership is expected to be unveiled on October 25 after the close of the Congress. USCBC’s analysis of the opening of the Party Congress can be found here; readers can also see our preview of this year’s leadership transition in USCBC’s recent report. Members are invited to a briefing with USCBC President John Frisbie and Ambassador Stapleton Roy on the outcomes of the Party Congress on...
October 13th, 2017
Intellectual property (IP) theft and forced technology transfer are serious issues that need to be addressed in China, said Senior Vice President Erin Ennis in testimony about the Section 301 investigation to a US government committee on Tuesday on behalf of of the US-China Business Council (USCBC). The most effective way to address the issues is with solutions that will curb the problems faced by American companies in China, rather than punitive tariffs, Ennis said.
Ennis stressed that...
October 6th, 2017
Hearing on China’s WTO compliance; USCBC to testify at 301 hearing next week
At the US government’s annual hearing on China’s compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, Acting Assistant US Trade Representative for China Terrence McCartin signaled the Trump administration’s focus on the limitations of that trade pact in addressing China’s trade practices.
McCartin said that a key challenge facing the US was to hold China accountable not only for its WTO...