The US accused 63 trading partners, including China and the European Union, of erecting unfair barriers to American exports. US Trade Representative Susan Schwab released the new report, which the administration is required to prepare as a way of informing Congress of its priorities in trying to tear down harmful trade barriers, the South China Morning Post reported. Schwab announced that the report is intended to "ensure fair treatment in the global marketplace for US workers and consumers." Critics have said that the administration has failed to forcefully pursue unfair trade barriers and they say this inaction has contributed to America's soaring trade deficits, which last year hit an all-time high of US$765.3 billion, the fifth consecutive record. The deficit with China totaled US$232.5 billion, the highest ever recorded with a single country.