The United States has not ruled out taking Beijing to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over rampant counterfeiting in China, the US government said today.
Chris Israel, US co-ordinator for international intellectual property enforcement, said recent steps by the Chinese leadership to tackle piracy had given him some cause for optimism but that the situation was still far from ideal.
"We remain consistent and clear in our policies that we consider all trade tools open and available," Mr Israel told reporters in Beijing when asked if the United States may still take legal action against China at the WTO.
"We view the commitment from Chinese leaders as meaningful and significant, and the execution of those commitments and meaningful results is really what we are focused on right now," added Mr Israel.
Outgoing US Trade Representative Rob Portman had previously warned that the United States could haul China to the WTO unless it did more to reduce intellectual property theft.
Piracy adds to tension over the US trade gap with China, which reached $202 billion in 2005, and further damages relations already strained over US complaints that China unfairly keeps its currency weak to help bolster exports.