The European Chamber of Commerce in China's report featured enduring complaints about 'forced technology transfer' that China's trading partners say violate its market-opening commitments regardless of denials and promises of change.

 

European leaders have criticized Trump's tactics in dealing with Beijing over its technology ambitions but echo U.S. criticisms.

 

One in five companies that participated to a research in January, before the most current round of U.S. and Chinese tariff hikes, said they felt compelled to hand over technology, up from 10% in a 2017 survey, the European chamber said.

 

'It is not something that is back in history. It is still happening now,' a chamber vice president, Charlotte Roule, told reporters just before the report's release. She said ending that 'should be a priority.'

 

The share of companies that stated they felt compelled to transfer technology was higher in some fields — 30% in petroleum and chemicals, 28% in medical devices, 27% for pharmaceuticals and 21% in the auto industry. One-quarter of those companies said transfers were happening at the time of the survey.

 

The review gave no details of why companies felt compelled to hand over technology. But the intensely regulated economy gives Chinese regulators leverage over companies, and business groups say they sometimes give orders in secret.

 

Trump began increasing tariffs on Chinese imports last July over complaints Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology. Europe, Japan and other trading partners reflect U.S. complaints that such practices violate Chinese commitments to open up its markets and manage foreign companies equally in return for access to their markets.

 

'China's lagging reform agenda not only holds back economic development but it has also driven global tension,' said Roule.

 

Chinese officials deny foreign companies are required to hand over technology. But companies in auto manufacturing, electronics and other industries that wish to operate in China are demanded to be minority partners in ventures with state-owned partners, which forces them to share technology and expertise.

 

A law adopted in March by China's ceremonial legislature tries to reassure foreign investors by prohibiting use of 'administrative measures' to compel technology transfer. Business groups welcomed that but said Chinese officials continue to have extensive leverage in the heavily regulated economy.

 

Tech transfer was one of a series of complaints the European chamber said prompts pessimism among companies about whether the ruling Communist Party will stick to through on promises to open its markets.

 

One-third of companies surveyed said they don't expect ever to see a 'meaningful opening' of Chinese markets.

 

This article is originally posted on TRONSERVE.COM