Chinese patent negotiations

Executive Summary

U.S. Trade Representative's office is considering retaliatory tariffs on a number of Chinese products due to failure to reach agreement on patent and intellectual property protections, USTR announces Nov. 26. Among the issues cited are "deficiencies in China's patent law, in particular, the failure to provide product patent protection for chemicals, including pharmaceuticals." The list of goods on which tariffs might be imposed includes vitamins and antibiotics. USTR will continue negotiations and accept public comment until Jan. 2, and then decide whether to impose the tariffs. USTR targeted China for priority investigations under the "Special 301" section of trade statutes on May 26, 1991. . . .