Tariffs won’t change China, but the WTO might

Published November 28, 2018 5:00am ET



All eyes at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires this weekend will be on President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. As trade tensions rise, global markets stall, and more tariffs loom on the horizon, it is time for a new strategy to address Beijing’s trade policy practices. Instead of self-defeating and quixotic tariffs, the United States should use the World Trade Organization to discipline China.

U.S. tariffs on imports from China have come in multiple stages over the course of 2018. Together, they form a response to a report from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative finding that Beijing engages in a host of trade policy abuses, from forced technology transfers and intellectual property abuses to domestic subsidies and discriminatory licensing restrictions. For its part, Beijing has responded with tariffs on U.S. exports, which has led to a drastic reduction in agricultural exports to China.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.