Trump orders probe of China's intellectual property practicesReuters, Aug 15, 2017
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday authorized an inquiry into China's alleged theft of intellectual property in the first direct trade measure by his administration against Beijing, but one that is unlikely to prompt near-term change.
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U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will have a year to look into whether to launch a formal investigation of China's trade policies on intellectual property, which the White House and U.S. industry lobby groups say are harming U.S. businesses and jobs.
Trump called the inquiry "a very big move."
Trump administration officials have estimated that theft of intellectual property by China could be as high as $600 billion.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-trade-china-idUSKCN1AU23N
