Alert
Alert
11.13.17
During his visit to China, President Trump raised concerns about the trade deficit between the United States and China and China’s trade practices. One longstanding concern in this regard has been technology/intellectual property (IP) transfer requirements in China—an issue the United States Trade Representative is currently investigating through a rarely-used tool under U.S. law. Below, we provide a summary update of the issues raised in the investigation and next steps.
On August 18, 2017, USTR initiated an investigation to determine whether acts, policies, and practices (APPs) of China related to transfer of technology, IP, and innovation are actionable under Section 301(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301). Section 301 provides USTR with the authority to investigate and take action in response to unfair trade practices. USTR has requested comments from interested parties and held a public hearing.
Complaints Raised by U.S. Industry
U.S.-based businesses and associations in the semiconductor, biotechnology, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and software sectors complained that China uses measures to incentivize or require technology transfers contrary to its commitments under the WTO. The measures include:
- Restrictions on cross border data transfers under the China Cybersecurity Law.
- “Overbroad” compulsory licensing provisions under the Anti-Monopoly Law.
- “Aggressive” efforts to mandate indigenous technical standards.
Responses from Chinese Interest Groups
Members of the China Chambers of Commerce, China Enterprise Confederation and Intellectual Property Law Society participated in the hearing to rebut the allegations. These groups replied to the allegations as follows:
- The terms of technology transfer agreements are prescribed by contracts that are negotiated voluntarily and independently.
- Decisions to enter into joint venture agreements with domestic companies are voluntary.
- The Chinese government does not direct acquisitions of foreign companies; such transactions are made by companies for commercial reasons.
- Progressive enactment of various laws that strengthen IP protections.
- Increased enforcement of violations of IP laws and availability of strong remedies.
Timeframe and Next Steps
Under the statutory timeline, USTR must determine by August 2018 whether APPs of China subject to the investigation are actionable under Section 301. Actionable APPs include conduct that is “unreasonable or discriminatory and burden[s] or restricts U.S. commerce.” USTR has explained that “unreasonable actions are those that while not necessarily in violation of, or inconsistent with, the international legal rights of the United States are otherwise unfair and inequitable.” Accordingly, actionable APPs under this investigation comprise conduct that is: 1) covered under World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations, or 2) not so covered, but otherwise “unfair and inequitable.”
According to USTR officials, if the United States makes an affirmative determination, the next steps will likely proceed in two tracks: in response to APPs discovered that provide a WTO cause of action, the U.S. may elect to bring a WTO challenge; and, in response to other actionable APPs, the U.S. may take unilateral action. Unilateral actions can include:
USTR has indicated its willingness to consider new information and information to rebut the public record. All comments will be available in the docket for public inspection (except for business confidential information).