Washington Trade Daily

A World Trade Organization dispute panel ruled today that the United States' Section 301 tariffs on China violate WTO rules, prompting US Trade Representative Lighthizher to argue that the ruling shows the WTO is not equipped to deal with China's unfair trade practices.
His statement: “This panel report confirms what the Trump Administration has been saying for four years: The WTO is completely inadequate to stop China’s harmful technology practices,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “Although the panel did not dispute the extensive evidence submitted by the United States of intellectual property theft by China, its decision shows that the WTO provides no remedy for such misconduct. The United States must be allowed to defend itself against unfair trade practices, and the Trump Administration will not let China use the WTO to take advantage of American workers, businesses, farmers, and ranchers. It is important to note that this report has no effect on the historic Phase One Agreement between the United States and China, which includes new, enforceable commitments by China to prevent the theft of American technology.”