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On May 15, China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC) provided oral testimony at the public hearing in Washington D.C. held by Section 301 Committee regarding the proposed tariffs on approximately $50 billion worth of Chinese imports. On behalf of CGCC, Mr. Xinze Liu, DHH Washington DC Law Office Executive Director, spoke at the hearing and answered questions to voice for the legal rights and interests of Chinese enterprises with business in the United States. Representatives of CGCC member companies attended the public hearing.
In the testimony, CGCC states that imposing unilateral sanctions will significantly hurt businesses and consumers in both countries and add to great uncertainty and unpredictability to US-China business. The report published by the Section 301 Committee ignores the achievements made by the Chinese government in the intellectual property areas. The tariff approach will ultimately harm U.S. consumers and the development of related export industries in the United States. The punitive measures also violate WTO rules and disregard the corresponding international rules and guidelines. On behalf of Chinese enterprises in the U.S., CGCC opposes the use of tariff and investment restriction measures.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiated an investigation pursuant to the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the Trade Act) on August 18, 2017, to determine whether acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
On April 3, 2018, USTR published a proposed list of $50 billion of products currently being imported from China that could potentially be subject to additional tariffs of 25%. In this document it stated that “the USTR has determined that the acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation covered in the investigation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.”
As the largest and most influential non-profit organization representing Chinese enterprises in the United States, CGCC attended the Section 301 public hearings on Investigations on China on October 10, 2017 and May 15, 2018, vigorously voiced for the legal rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. CGCC member companies, SANY America and Mindray DS USA, also provided testimony at Section 301 public hearing.
CGCC and its Chinese and U.S. members encourage the two governments to adopt collaborative approaches in addressing trade policies and practices that can be mutually beneficial to both countries, their workers and consumers. Any action should be consistent with international obligations and with the goal of avoiding negative consequences or retaliatory measures. CGCC urges President Trump’s administration to work with the business communities and industry experts on finding alternative solutions that focus on dialogues and compromise for both economies. CGCC will continue in its efforts to connect people, build trust, and expand cooperation between China and the United States.
Please click the link for CGCC’s testimony and written comments.
Comments of all other companies and organizations are available at USTR website.