19 U.S.C. § 2412 (CUSTOMS DUTIES)
§ 2412. Initiation of investigations
(a) Petitions
(1) Any interested person may file a petition with the Trade Representative requesting that action be taken under section 2411 of this title and setting forth the allegations in support of the request.
(2) The Trade Representative shall review the allegations in any petition filed under paragraph (1) and, not later than 45 days after the date on which the Trade Representative received the petition, shall determine whether to initiate an investigation.
(3) If the Trade Representative determines not to initiate an investigation with respect to a petition, the Trade Representative shall inform the petitioner of the reasons therefor and shall publish notice of the determination, together with a summary of such reasons, in the Federal Register.
(4) If the Trade Representative makes an affirmative determination under paragraph (2) with respect to a petition, the Trade Representative shall initiate an investigation regarding the issues raised in the petition. The Trade Representative shall publish a summary of the petition in the Federal Register and shall, as soon as possible, provide opportunity for the presentation of views concerning the issues, including a public hearing—
(A) within the 30-day period beginning on the date of the affirmative determination (or on a date after such period if agreed to by the petitioner) if a public hearing within such period is requested in the petition, or
(B) at such other time if a timely request therefor is made by the petitioner or by any interested person.
(b) Initiation of investigation by means other than petition
(1)
(A) If the Trade Representative determines that an investigation should be initiated under this subchapter with respect to any matter in order to determine whether the matter is actionable under section 2411 of this title, the Trade Representative shall publish such determination in the Federal Register and shall initiate such investigation.
(B) The Trade Representative shall, before making any determination under subparagraph (A), consult with appropriate committees established pursuant to section 2155 of this title.
(2)
(A) By no later than the date that is 30 days after the date on which a country is identified under section 2242(a)(2) of this title, the Trade Representative shall initiate an investigation under this subchapter with respect to any act, policy, or practice of that country that—
(i) was the basis for such identification, and
(ii) is not at that time the subject of any other investigation or action under this subchapter.
(B) The Trade Representative is not required under subparagraph (A) to initiate an investigation under this subchapter with respect to any act, policy, or practice of a foreign country if the Trade Representative determines that the initiation of the investigation would be detrimental to United States economic interests.
(C) If the Trade Representative makes a determination under subparagraph (B) not to initiate an investigation, the Trade Representative shall submit to the Congress a written report setting forth, in detail—
(i) the reasons for the determination, and
(ii) the United States economic interests that would be adversely affected by the investigation.
(D) The Trade Representative shall, from time to time, consult with the Register of Copyrights, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and other appropriate officers of the Federal Government, during any investigation initiated under this subchapter by reason of subparagraph (A).
(c) Discretion
In determining whether to initiate an investigation under subsection (a) or (b) of any act, policy, or practice that is enumerated in any provision of section 2411(d) of this title, the Trade Representative shall have discretion to determine whether action under section 2411 of this title would be effective in addressing such act, policy, or practice.
(Pub. L. 93–618, title III, § 302, as added Pub. L. 96–39, title IX, § 901, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 296; amended Pub. L. 98–573, title III, § 304(d)(1), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3003; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1301(a), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1168; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(b)(9)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–584.)
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 302 of Pub. L. 93–618, title III, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2043, which related to the procedure for Congressional disapproval of certain actions taken by the President to eliminate foreign import restrictions and export subsidies and which was classified to this section, was omitted in the general revision of chapter 1 of title III of Pub. L. 93–618 by Pub. L. 96–39, title IX, § 901, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 295.
heading: Amendments
text: 1999—Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office” for “Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks”.
1988—Pub. L. 100–418 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to initiating investigations with or without petitions and discretion of Trade Representative for provisions relating to filing and determinations on petitions for investigations and investigations initiated by Trade Representative.
1984—Pub. L. 98–573 amended section generally, substituting “United States Trade Representative” and “Trade Representative” for “Special Representative for Trade Negotiations” and “Special Representative”, respectively, substituting “the reasons” for “his reasons” in subsec. (b)(1), substituting “a summary” for “the text” in subsec. (b)(2), striking out the comma after “petitioner)” in subsec. (b)(2)(A), and inserting “or by any interested person” after “petitioner” in subsec. (b)(2)(B).
heading: Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.
heading: Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 100–418 applicable to petitions filed, and investigations initiated, under this section on or after Aug. 23, 1988, and petitions filed, and investigations initiated, before Aug. 23, 1988, if by such date no decision had been made under section 2414 of this title regarding the petition or investigation, see section 1301(c) of Pub. L. 100–418, set out as a note under section 2411 of this title.
heading: Addressing China’s Laws, Policies, Practices, and Actions Related to Intellectual Property, Innovation, and Technology
text: Memorandum of President of the United States, Aug. 14, 2017, 82 F.R. 39007, provided:
Memorandum for the United States Trade Representative
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby directed as follows:
Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States for our trade relations to enhance our economic growth, contribute favorably to our balance of trade, promote reciprocal treatment of American goods and investment, and strengthen the American manufacturing base.
The United States is a world leader in research-and-development-intensive, high-technology goods. Violations of intellectual property rights and other unfair technology transfers potentially threaten United States firms by undermining their ability to compete fairly in the global market. China has implemented laws, policies, and practices and has taken actions related to intellectual property, innovation, and technology that may encourage or require the transfer of American technology and intellectual property to enterprises in China or that may otherwise negatively affect American economic interests. These laws, policies, practices, and actions may inhibit United States exports, deprive United States citizens of fair remuneration for their innovations, divert American jobs to workers in China, contribute to our trade deficit with China, and otherwise undermine American manufacturing, services, and innovation.
Sec. 2. Determination of Whether to Conduct Investigation. The United States Trade Representative shall determine, consistent with section 302(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2412(b)), whether to investigate any of China’s laws, policies, practices, or actions that may be unreasonable or discriminatory and that may be harming American intellectual property rights, innovation, or technology development.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Donald J. Trump.