US launches trade action against China

The US launched a string of actions against China Monday over suspected trade barriers and piracy of books, music, videos and other goods, the New York Times reported. The action at the World Trade Organization follows another complaint late last month threatening stiff duties on some imports and another in February over subsidies of manufactured goods. American trade envoy Susan C. Schwab said negotiations had failed to solve trade disputes but the latest complaints at the WTO "should not be viewed as hostile actions", rather she said battling issues in Geneva is "the normal way for mature trading partners" to resolve differences, the newspaper reported. The action could anger or embarrass Beijing officials trying to reform economic policies. They could also push China to retaliate by cutting cooperation on other issues, like diplomatic efforts involving Iran, North Korea and Sudan.