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| The United States targets Alibaba and Tencent markets |
The US Trade Representative's office said e-commerce sites owned by Chinese giants Tencent and Alibaba have been included in the US government's list of infamous markets, an annual compilation of the worst intellectual property infringers and violators.
The list identified 42 online and 35 physical markets allegedly involved in promoting significant counterfeiting or copyright piracy.
"This includes, for the first time, the identification of the AliExpress and WeChat e-commerce ecosystems, two well-known Chinese online marketplaces that facilitate counterfeiting," the US Trade Representative's office said in a statement.
Chinese online markets Wangwan, DHGate, Pinduoduo, and Taobao are also on the list, along with nine physical markets in China known for manufacturing, distributing, and selling fakes.
China's Ministry of Commerce said China did not agree to the US government's listing of some e-commerce websites as a "notorious market" and was not responsible.
Alibaba said it will continue to work with government agencies to address concerns about intellectual property protection on its platform.
Tencent strongly opposed the decision and promised to work together to solve the problem.
Tencent added that it actively monitors, blocks and takes action against abuse on the platform. It explained that it had invested significant resources in protecting intellectual property.
Being on the list damages the company's reputation. But this does not mean punishment. Industry associations such as the American Apparel and Footwear Association and the Motion Picture Association welcomed the release of the USTR report.
Alibaba continues its efforts to protect intellectual property rights on its platforms
The US office said in a separate report that the United States needs to adopt a new strategy. He also called for modernizing domestic trade tools to counter China's state-directed non-trade policies and practices.
The United States and China have been locked in trade disputes over issues such as tariffs, technology and intellectual property for years.
The United States says China has failed to meet some of its commitments under the "phase one" trade deal. It was signed by the administration of former President Donald Trump.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) began publishing a free-standing annual list in 2011. It aims to increase public awareness and help market participants and governments prioritize intellectual property rights enforcement efforts.
The report states that China is the largest exporter of counterfeit goods seized by US customs. It is also the country with the largest number of forced labor products. Including forced labor sponsored by the government.