U.S. Group Says China Could Be Violating Trade Accords

A United States business group said on Monday that China’s recent aggressive enforcement of its antimonopoly law could be a violation of its trade agreements, a claim that potentially raises the stakes in a recent pushback among foreign companies that say they are being discriminated against in China.

Although foreign companies including Microsoft, Qualcomm and Daimler have in recent months been subjected to surprise raids, lengthy investigations and increasing fines by China’s government antitrust enforcers, they have had little recourse against such actions. The path to filing an administrative or legal appeal in China remains unclear and untested, and such steps could risk regulatory backlash. In the meantime, rhetoric from foreign business groups has largely been measured, calling for China to ensure a level playing field as it enforces its antimonopoly law, which took effect in 2008.

But a new report, released on Monday by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is based in Washington, raises the possibility of a new approach to China’s increasingly vigilant antitrust actions: lodging a complaint at the World Trade Organization, which China joined in 2001.

Read Full Article HERE

Neil Gough, New York Times via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1CJd6VP