Hatch on 301 Trade Case: China Must Be Held Accountable

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced its findings regarding Chinese practices related to the forced transfer of American technology and intellectual property, as well as actions to be taken by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Treasury Department:

“American job creators have long been caught in the crosshairs of China’s mercantilist trade practices. The findings released as part of this investigation today make it clear: China must be held accountable for its forced transfer of American technology and intellectual property. While I commend the administration for taking much-needed action toward China, I am concerned with their approach on tariffs. Hitting billions in goods with tariffs runs the risk of putting a bigger dent in the pocketbooks of American families across the country. The administration must pursue action resulting from this investigation as part of a comprehensive strategy to address China’s rampant abuse against American innovation. As we continue to move forward with this process, I will carefully review the administration’s actions and work to shape the remedies to ensure they are focused and effective while taking into account the needs of American businesses, farmers, ranchers and families.”

Background: A longtime advocate of establishing enforceable international rules for U.S. firms and workers doing business overseas, Hatch has fought to strengthen intellectual property rights (IPR) standards around the globe. Hatch authored legislation to increase U.S. enforcement of American IPR overseas, including improvements to the Special 301 mechanism and the establishment of a Chief Intellectual Property Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Hatch also spearheaded efforts in Congress to enact bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to help open more markets for U.S. exports and strengthen IPR protections in U.S. trade agreements, and he led enactment of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016.

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