House Ways And Means Committee Hears Testimony On U.S.-China Trade

October 25, 2011

On Tuesday, October 25, the House Ways And Means Committee held a hearing to receive testimony
concerning the U.S.-China economic relationship. In announcing the hearing, Committee Chairman Dave
Camp, R-Mich., stated: “The Chinese market presents enormous potential for growing U.S. exports,
which support American jobs. But China purposefully makes it harder to sell our goods and services,
unfairly subsidizes its own companies, and blatantly steals the intellectual property of American
businesses. China’s distorting trade policies are deeply troubling and cannot be allowed to stand.
Its practices are costing U.S. jobs. China has benefited greatly from globalization, and it must
abide by the same rules that afforded it that prosperity. The President and his Administration
should continue to press China to open its markets through every available avenue. And when China
has violated its international obligations, the United States must aggressively enforce its rights.
I look forward to hearing the Administration’s plan for addressing China’s persistent barriers to
U.S. exports and investment and exploring what should be done to ensure American employers and
workers are treated fairly.”

The hearing’s focus was on the opportunities and challenges for U.S. companies, workers and
farmers that do business in the Chinese market; and officials from the Obama administration were
invited to present the administration’s plans to deal with trade and investment barriers imposed by
China that hamper U.S. companies’ abilities to compete with Chinese companies on a level playing
field. On the roster to present oral testimony were Deputy United States Trade Representative
(USTR) Demetrios J. Marantis and U.S. Department of the Treasury Under Secretary for International
Affairs Dr. Lael Brainard. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) and the Fair
Currency Coalition (FCC) have submitted written testimony, and other interested organizations and
individuals also may submit written testimony by the close of business Nov. 8, 2011.

Listed below are links to the oral and written testimony noted above:

USTR:
Oral
Testimony by Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios J. Marantis Before the House
Committee on Ways and Means