US trade representative should shine a spotlight on Chinese counterfeits

Published February 17, 2026 11:00am ET



The United States trade representative is set to release its 2025 Notorious Markets List, an annual report highlighting marketplaces linked to large-scale copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting.

While the list is a key enforcement tool, it has long omitted major Chinese online platforms. In an investigation, I purchased 51 products from Temu, AliExpress, and SHEIN and found that nearly half were likely counterfeits. If the USTR is serious about protecting U.S. consumers and businesses, these platforms should be designated as notorious markets.

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