The US has added Alibaba and Tencent's websites have been added to the "Notorious Markets List" of companies of the United States over suspicion that the companies are engaged in the illegal trading of counterfeit products. on their e-commerce platforms.
The companies operate 42 websites and 35 physical storefronts, as well as e-commerce platforms, according to the report.
The companies "engage in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright privacy", says the US trade agency.
The United States and China have been at odds for a long time over trade and technology.
"The global trade in counterfeit and pirated goods undermines critical US innovation and creativity and harms American workers," US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.
The e-commerce sites of AliExpress and WeChat have been added to the list for the first time, said the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Alibaba owns AliExpress, while Tencent is in charge of WeChat.
The government agency described the sites as "two significant China-based online markets that reportedly facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting".
The US list also contains Baidu Wangpan, DHGate, Pinduoduo, and Taobao, all China-based online markets, the USTR said and added, "as well as nine physical markets located within China that are known for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods".
Tencent however clarified that “significant resources" had been invested by it on its platforms aimed at securing intellectual property rights.
"We strongly disagree with the decision made by the United States Trade Representative and are committed to working collaboratively to resolve this matter," a spokesperson of the company told the media.
There were no comments on the issue available from Alibaba.
In 2006, the USTR had begun recognizing "notorious markets."
Its list aims to safeguard American firms and workers from the negative consequences of low-cost counterfeit goods, which are typically made outside the country. Tariffs, technology, and intellectual property are still a source of contention between Washington and Beijing.
This week, tensions between the world's two largest economies resurfaced.
Despite being a member of the World Trade Organization, China has frequently failed to live up to its trade responsibilities, according to the USTR's annual report released on Wednesday. It also claimed that China's trade policies had caused "severe harm" to workers and businesses around the world.
(Source:www.bbc.com)
The companies operate 42 websites and 35 physical storefronts, as well as e-commerce platforms, according to the report.
The companies "engage in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright privacy", says the US trade agency.
The United States and China have been at odds for a long time over trade and technology.
"The global trade in counterfeit and pirated goods undermines critical US innovation and creativity and harms American workers," US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.
The e-commerce sites of AliExpress and WeChat have been added to the list for the first time, said the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Alibaba owns AliExpress, while Tencent is in charge of WeChat.
The government agency described the sites as "two significant China-based online markets that reportedly facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting".
The US list also contains Baidu Wangpan, DHGate, Pinduoduo, and Taobao, all China-based online markets, the USTR said and added, "as well as nine physical markets located within China that are known for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods".
Tencent however clarified that “significant resources" had been invested by it on its platforms aimed at securing intellectual property rights.
"We strongly disagree with the decision made by the United States Trade Representative and are committed to working collaboratively to resolve this matter," a spokesperson of the company told the media.
There were no comments on the issue available from Alibaba.
In 2006, the USTR had begun recognizing "notorious markets."
Its list aims to safeguard American firms and workers from the negative consequences of low-cost counterfeit goods, which are typically made outside the country. Tariffs, technology, and intellectual property are still a source of contention between Washington and Beijing.
This week, tensions between the world's two largest economies resurfaced.
Despite being a member of the World Trade Organization, China has frequently failed to live up to its trade responsibilities, according to the USTR's annual report released on Wednesday. It also claimed that China's trade policies had caused "severe harm" to workers and businesses around the world.
(Source:www.bbc.com)