Thu Aug 18, 2005 05:38 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China restricts trade by U.S. companies, counter to its commitments as a World Trade Organization member, and violates intellectual property laws, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York said on Thursday.
In a 15-page report Schumer said was intended to "detail some of the ways that U.S. companies are affected by China's unwillingness to play fair," a litany of methods were laid out through which Beijing allegedly crimps U.S. investors.
"In industries from aviation to steel China demands that U.S. firms give up their technology and know-how to the joint venture as a condition of entering into the market place," the report said in what amounts to making U.S. technology "hostage" to any bid to enter China's market.
It also described China as "legendary for intellectual property violations" and said U.S. industries from filmmaking, music, publishing, software, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, information technology and electrical equipment have suffered.
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