2 | I. THE PRESIDENT’S 2018 TRADE POLICY AGENDA 簨 Politicians of both parties have long promised strong enforcement of U.S. trade laws.Last year theTrump Administration self-initiated a Section 301 investigation into another country’s unfairtrading practices.This year – for the first time in 16 years – the Trump Administration grantedsafeguard relief under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 to domestic industries suffering seriousinjury by reason of imports.In short, President Trump has launched a new era in American trade policy.His agenda is drivenby a pragmatic determination to use the leverage available to the world’s largest economy to open foreignmarkets, obtain more efficient global markets and fairer treatment for American workers.This policy restson five major pillars:Supporting Our National Security.Last December, President Trump issued a new NationalSecurity Strategy for the United States.This document plainly states that, “A strong economy protects theAmerican people, supports, our way of life, and sustains American power.”It also makes clear that “theUnited States will no longer turn a blind eye to violations, cheating, or economic aggression.”Our tradepolicy will fulfill these goals by using all possible tools to preserve our national sovereignty and strengthenthe U.S. economy.Strengthening the U.S. Economy.Last year, President Trump signed a new tax bill designed tomake U.S. companies and workers more competitive with the rest of the world.The Trump Administrationhas also begun an aggressive effort to eliminate wasteful and unnecessary regulations that hamper business. These and other efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy will make it easier for American companies tosucceed in global markets.Negotiating Better Trade Deals.For too long, the rules of global trade have been tilted againstAmerican workers and businesses.This will change.Already our trading partners know that the UnitedStates will alter – or terminate – old trade deals that are not in our national interest.We have launchedaggressive efforts to revise our trade agreements with our NAFTA partners and with South Korea. Furthermore, we intend to actively pursue new and better trade deals with potential partners around theworld.Aggressive Enforcement of U.S. Trade Laws.The Trump Administration strongly believes thatall countries would benefit from adopting policies that promote true market competition.Unfortunately,history shows that not all countries will do so voluntarily.Accordingly, we also have an aggressive tradeenforcement agenda designed to prevent countries from benefiting from unfair trading practices.We willuse all tools available – including unilateral action where necessary – to support this effort.Reforming the Multilateral Trading System.The Trump Administration wants to help build abetter multilateral trading system and will remain active in the World Trade Organization (WTO).At thesame time, we recognize that the WTO has not always worked as expected.Instead of serving as anegotiating forum where countries can develop new and better rules, it has sometimes been dominated bya dispute settlement system where activist “judges” try to impose their own policy preferences on MemberStates.Instead of constraining market distorting countries like China, the WTO has in some cases giventhem an unfair advantage over the United States and other market based economies.Instead of promotingmore efficient markets, the WTO has been used by some Members as a bulwark in defense of market accessbarriers, dumping, subsidies, and other market distorting practices.The United States will not allow theWTO – or any other multilateral organization – to prevent us from taking actions that are essential to theeconomic well-being of the American people.At the same time, as we showed in last year’s WTOMinisterial, we remain eager to work with like-minded countries to build a global economic system thatwill lead to higher living standards here and around the world.I. THE PRESIDENT’S 2018 TRADE POLICY AGENDA | 3These are exciting times for U.S. trade policy.Much work remains to be done – but we havealready begun implementing a new trading agenda that will reward hard work and innovation instead ofgovernment planning and unfair subsidies.As our policies continue to take effect, we are confident thatAmerican workers, ranchers, businesses and farmers will all benefit from the chance to compete in a fairerworld.PUTTING AMERICA FIRST:THE PRESIDENT’S 2018 TRADE POLICY AGENDATo establish a trade policy that promotes America’s security and prosperity, the Trumpadministration will focus on five major priorities: (1) adopting trade policies that support our nationalsecurity policy; (2) strengthening the U.S. economy; (3) negotiating better trade deals that work for allAmericans; (4) enforcing U.S. trade laws and U.S. rights under existing trade agreements; and (5) reformingthe multilateral trading system.A. Trade Policy that Supports National Security PolicyFor the Trump Administration, trade policy is intended to advance our national interest.Thus, ourtrade policy should be consistent with, and supportive of, our national security strategy.It makes no senseto promote trade deals that strengthen our adversaries, or otherwise leave the United States weaker on thenational stage.Accordingly, the President’s trade agenda is intended to support the President’s broaderefforts to build a stronger and more secure country.Last December, the Trump Administration issued a new National Security Strategy of the UnitedStates of America.As described below, several aspects of that strategy are particularly relevant to tradepolicy:Building a Strong America.According to the National Security Strategy, “A strong America isin the vital interests of not only the American people, but also those around the world who want to partnerwith the United States in pursuit of shared interests, values, and aspirations.”This principle applies to tradepolicy as well.For decades, the United States has played a unique role in promoting and encouraging truemarket competition all around the world.Many other countries have benefited from this policy, which hascontributed to peace and prosperity on every continent.But the United States cannot fulfill this role withouta strong domestic economy at home and without strong domestic support for open markets.Thus, we rejectthe notion that the United States can strengthen the global trading system – or promote efficient marketsworldwide – by agreeing to trade policies that weaken our economy and undermine Americans’ faith inglobal trading rules.Indeed, recent history shows that when the United States grows weaker, cheatersflourish and global markets grow less efficient.Preserving National Sovereignty.The National Security Strategy reminds us that, “All politicalpower is ultimately delegated from, and accountable to, the people.”That includes the power to make rulesof trade.The American people have the right to hold their elected officials responsible for any decisionsthey make with respect to trade policy.When international bureaucrats improperly set the terms of tradefor Americans, they deny the American people this fundamental right.Obviously, there may be benefits toan agreed upon multinational system to resolve trade disputes, but any such system must not forceAmericans to live under new obligations to which the United States and its elected officials never agreed. Consistent with these principles, our trade policy will aggressively defend U.S. national sovereignty.4 | I. THE PRESIDENT’S 2018 TRADE POLICY AGENDA Responding to Economic Competitors . The National Security Strategy states that “China andRussia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security andprosperity.”These challenges are not limited to the national security realm but also impact trade policy. Both China and Russia have been unwilling to comply with many of their obligations as members of theWTO.China has a statist economic model with a large and growing government role.The scope ofChina’s economy means its economic practices increasingly affect the United States and the overall globaleconomic and trade system.China has now been a member of the WTO for more than sixteen years andhas yet to adopt the market economy system expected of all WTO Members.Indeed, if anything, Chinahas appeared to be moving further away from market principles in recent years.Furthermore, as the world’ssecond largest economy, China has an enormous capacity to distort markets worldwide.China’s policiesare contributing to a dramatic misallocation of global resources that leaves everyone – including the Chinesepeople – poorer than they would be in a world of more efficient markets.Of course, as a sovereign nation, China is free to pursue whatever trade policy it prefers.But theUnited States, as a sovereign nation, is free to respond.Under President Trump’s leadership, we will useall available tools to discourage China – or any country that emulates its policies – from undermining truemarket competition.We will resist efforts by China – or any other country – to hide behind internationalbureaucracies in an effort to hinder the ability of the United States to take robust actions, when necessary,in response to unfair practices abroad.In short, our trade policy – like our national security policy – willseek to protect U.S. national interests.Recognizing the Importance of Technology.The National Security Strategy states that, “TheUnited States must preserve our lead in research and technology and protect our economy from competitorswho unfairly acquire our intellectual property.”Our trade policy will support these efforts.In fact, asdiscussed in more detail below, we have already launched an investigation pursuant to Section 301 of theTrade Act of 1974 into allegations that China is engaged in unreasonable and discriminatory efforts toobtain U.S. technologies and intellectual property.If necessary, we will take action under Section 301 toprevent China from obtaining the benefit of this type of unfair practice.Our trade policy will also promoteinnovation in the digital economy.For example, we will take steps to promote a thriving global marketplacefor online platforms.Working with Others.The National Security Strategy states that, “Together with our allies,partners, and aspiring partners, the United States will pursue cooperation with reciprocity.Cooperationmeans sharing responsibilities and burdens.”These same principles apply to our trade policy.UnderPresident Trump, the United States remains committed to working with like-minded countries to promotefair market competition around the world – but we will not pay for cooperation with trade deals that putU.S. workers and businesses at an unfair disadvantage.Countries that are committed to market-basedoutcomes and that are willing to provide the United States with reciprocal opportunities in their homemarkets will find a true friend and ally in the Trump Administration.Countries that refuse to give usreciprocal treatment or who engage in other unfair trading practices will find that we know how to defendour interests.B. Strengthening the U.S. EconomyImproving competitiveness through tax cuts and reforms.In December 2017, President DonaldJ. Trump signed the legislation commonly known as theTax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)– the mostsignificant tax cut and reform law in more than 30 years.The law was designed to achieve four goals: taxrelief for middle-income families, simplification for individuals, repatriation of offshore income, and。。。。。。