Continuation of Actions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In a notice published on May 6, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the first step in the second, statutory four-year review process of the two actions taken as a result of the investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The notice informed representatives of domestic industries that benefit from the actions, as modified, of the possible termination of the actions and of the opportunity for the representatives to request continuation of the actions. USTR received requests for continuation of both actions from representatives of domestic industries that benefit from the actions. Accordingly, the actions have not terminated and will remain in effect, subject to possible further modifications, including any modifications resulting from the statutory four-year review.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 193 (Wednesday, October 7, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 7, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 64212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20510]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Continuation of Actions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices 
Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In a notice published on May 6, 2026, the Office of the United 
States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the first step in the 
second, statutory four-year review process of the two actions taken as 
a result of the investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices 
related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. 
The notice informed representatives of domestic industries that benefit 
from the actions, as modified, of the possible termination of the 
actions and of the opportunity for the representatives to request 
continuation of the actions. USTR received requests for continuation of 
both actions from representatives of domestic industries that benefit 
from the actions. Accordingly, the actions have not terminated and will 
remain in effect, subject to possible further modifications, including 
any modifications resulting from the statutory four-year review.

DATES: The July 6, 2018 action, as modified, did not terminate on July 
6, 2026, and will remain in effect, subject to possible further 
modifications.
    The August 23, 2018 action, as modified, did not terminate on 
August 23, 2026, and will remain in effect, subject to possible 
modifications.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice, 
contact Philip Butler, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for 
Monitoring & Enforcement at (202) 395-5725.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    For background on the actions, modifications, and four-year review 
process taken under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended 
(Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2411), in the investigation of China's acts, 
policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual 
property, and innovation, please see 91 FR 24636 (May 6, 2026) (May 6 
notice).
    As stated in the May 6 notice, under Section 307(c)(1)(B) of the 
Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2417(c)(1)(B)), the July 6, 2018 Section 301 
action, as modified, and the August 23, 2018 Section 301 action, as 
modified, were subject to possible termination on their respective 
four-year anniversary dates (i.e., July 6, 2026, and August 23, 2026, 
respectively) unless a representative of a domestic industry that 
benefits from the action submitted in the sixty-day period prior to the 
four-year anniversary of the action a request that the action continue.
    Pursuant to Section 307(c)(2) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 
2417(c)(2)), USTR notified representatives of domestic industries that 
may benefit from either the July 6, 2018, or August 23, 2018 actions, 
as modified, of the possible termination of the actions, and of the 
opportunity for these representatives to request continuation of the 
actions. See May 6 notice. As provided in the May 6 notice, 
representatives of domestic industries that benefit from the July 6, 
2018 action, as modified, were afforded the opportunity to submit 
between May 7, 2026, and July 5, 2026, a request to continue the 
action, and representatives of domestic industries that benefit from 
the August 23, 2018 action, as modified, were afforded the opportunity 
to submit such requests between June 24, 2026, and August 22, 2026.

B. Continuation of Actions

    USTR received numerous requests to continue the July 6, 2018 and 
August 23, 2018 actions, as modified, from a range of domestic 
industries. For the July 6, 2018 action, USTR received 68 requests from 
domestic producers and 18 requests from trade associations. For the 
August 23, 2018 action, USTR received 57 requests from domestic 
producers and 19 requests from trade associations. Representatives of 
domestic industries reported that China's unfair policies and practices 
have persisted and that domestic industries continue to benefit from 
the trade actions in a number of ways. For example, they reported that 
the actions continue to provide an incentive for the Chinese government 
to stop the unreasonable and discriminatory policies and practices that 
are the basis for the tariff actions. Furthermore, the actions have 
helped to address some of the unfair competition resulting from China's 
technology transfer policies and practices and encourage better 
policies and practices. Additionally, representatives stated that the 
actions have allowed them to compete against Chinese imports and have 
encouraged domestic investment in new technologies, the expansion of 
domestic production, and the reshoring of vital industries.
    Based on the written requests for continuation of each action 
received in the sixty-day period prior to the four-year anniversary of 
the action from representatives of a domestic industry that benefit 
from each action, and in accordance with Section 307(c)(1)(B) of the 
Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2417(c)(1)(B)), the July 6, 2018 action, as 
modified, and the August 23, 2018 action, as modified, did not 
terminate on their four-year anniversary dates, July 6, 2026, and 
August 23, 2026, and accordingly will remain in effect.

C. Further Steps in Statutory Four-Year Review

    In light of the continuation of the actions, and in accordance with 
Section 307(c)(3) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2417(c)(3)), the U.S. 
Trade Representative will conduct a review of the July 6, 2018 and 
August 23, 2018 actions, as modified. USTR will publish a separate 
notice or notices describing the review process. The process will 
include inviting interested persons to submit comments on the 
effectiveness of the actions in achieving the objectives of the 
investigation, other actions that could be taken, and the effects of 
such actions on the United States economy, including consumers. See 19 
U.S.C. 2417(c)(3)).

Jennifer Thornton,
General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2026-20510 Filed 10-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F2-P


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