Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2014

China's Trade Playbook: Why America Needs a New Game Plan

Ed Gerwin, Ryan McConaghy

February 2012

Third Way

Abstract

This new report highlights the “top plays” that China uses to protect its favored firms from U.S. import competition. These include “enhancing performance” through illegal subsidies, “stealing the play” by robbing valuable American ideas, and “running out the clock” on China’s long-promised market reforms. To counter China’s playbook, American needs a new China game plan that goes beyond countering unfair currency manipulation—a plan that will use aggressive trade enforcement, stricter rules and strong allies to help America’s exporters and workers go on offense and score more business in China’ lucrative and growing market.