Hatch Statement on U.S.-China Trade Policy

Utah Senator Says, “Theft of American intellectual property in China is a persistent and serious problem. This is a strong first step toward holding China accountable.”

SALT LAKE CITY – Following President Trump’s memorandum regarding Chinese policies leading to forced technology transfer and trade secret theft, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement:

“Theft of American intellectual property in China is a persistent and serious problem. This is a strong first step toward holding China accountable. Indeed, there is no doubt the Chinese government bears responsibility for the forced transfer of technology from American businesses and rampant theft of trade secrets, and our nation must take stronger action. I look forward to working with Ambassador Lighthizer on further action to protect U.S. intellectual property rights in China using the strong, WTO-consistent tools Congress has created for the enforcement of American rights.”

NOTE: 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 world. Hatch authored legislation to increase U.S. enforcement of American intellectual property rights overseas, including improvements to the Special 301 mechanism and the establishment of a Chief Intellectual Property Negotiator at Office of 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 led enactment of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. 

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