At a news conference in Washington, D.C., Rep. Mike Gallagher, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, along with fellow Republicans Rep. Elise Stefanik and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, emphasized the need for the Justice Department to investigate the theft of intellectual property from American small businesses by Chinese actors.
Highlighting the significant impact of Chinese IP theft on the U.S. economy, Gallagher and Rep. Roger Williams wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, requesting action to protect American small businesses. The letter, supported by 24 other Republican lawmakers, urges the Department of Justice to utilize all available tools and capabilities to safeguard small businesses.
Gallagher, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Williams, who chairs the House Committee on Small Business, emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of American small businesses from IP-related crimes.
Chinese IP theft has been an ongoing issue affecting U.S. businesses for years. A 2017 report from the National Bureau of Asian Research’s Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property estimated that it costs the U.S. economy $600 billion annually. Additionally, a 2018 analysis by the U.S. Trade Representative revealed that the Chinese government engages in cyber intrusions into U.S. commercial networks to obtain confidential business information from American firms.
In a survey conducted by the CNBC Global CFO Council, it was found that 1 in 5 North American companies reported IP theft from Chinese companies within the past year.
The House CCP committee, in an effort to protect small businesses, is urging the DOJ’s Task Force on Intellectual Property to prioritize theft scenarios involving these businesses. The lawmakers reference a Fox Business News report that highlights a case of theft where a proprietary design was stolen from an irrigation company.
Another instance mentioned in the letter involves a small business owner dealing with unauthorized copies of her violin teaching tool in the Chinese market.
Gallagher and Williams have requested a detailed briefing by June 30 on current measures to protect IP rights, specifically against China. They also seek information on the DOJ’s investigative efforts and counterfeit procedures.
The House CCP committee was established after the 2022 midterm elections to address threats posed by the Chinese government to the United States.
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