Street Calls of the Week
Investing.com -- The United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer announced Friday the start of a Section 301 investigation examining China’s implementation of the Phase One Agreement signed in December 2019.
The investigation will determine whether China has fulfilled its commitments under the agreement, assess any resulting burden on U.S. commerce from non-implementation, and consider appropriate responses.
"President Trump made history in his first term when he stood up for the American worker and brokered the Phase One Agreement, establishing a more fair and reciprocal trade relationship with China," said Ambassador Greer. "The initiation of this investigation underscores the Trump Administration’s resolve to hold China to its Phase One Agreement commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and establish a more reciprocal trade relationship with China for the benefit of the American people."
The USTR is seeking public comments and will conduct a hearing on December 16, 2025, as part of the investigation process. Interested parties must submit written comments, hearing appearance requests, and testimony summaries by December 1, 2025.
The Phase One Agreement, which took effect five years ago, required China to make structural changes addressing issues in intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, and financial services. It also committed China to increase purchases of U.S. goods and services to reduce the large bilateral trade deficit.
According to the USTR, despite repeated U.S. engagement with China on implementation concerns, China appears to have failed to meet its commitments regarding non-tariff barriers, market access issues, and purchases of U.S. goods and services.
The investigation is authorized under Section 302(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the Trade Representative to determine if a foreign country’s actions are denying U.S. rights under trade agreements or violating trade agreement provisions.
A docket for public comments will be available on the USTR website, with a separate docket for hearing appearance requests opening on October 29.
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