As the Administration nears concluding its 301 investigation into Chinese abuses of intellectual property rights, importers of footwear and apparel have already raised strenuous objections to the prospects of retaliatory duties on their products, noting that their products are already heavily dutied and would further raise prices for consumers. While the U.S. groups were careful to support the Administration’s position on strengthening IP protections for American companies, they clearly believe that targeting their products for duties would only harm consumers and cost American jobs.

The extent of the trade retaliation remains a subject of speculation at this point, with the amount ... Log in to view full article.