The US House of Representatives has passed a historic bipartisan bill to crack down on business crimes committed by companies and institutions linked to China. The law, titled 'The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act', aims to provide the Department of Justice (DOJ) with more legal powers to investigate and prosecute Chinese companies.
Let us tell you, under this new law, a special and dedicated task force will be formed within the Criminal Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ). This task force will focus on investigating tariff and duty evasion, violations of import-export restrictions, trade-based money laundering, smuggling and other serious crimes related to international commerce. Supporters of the bill say that illegal business activities by China-backed companies have caused huge losses to American manufacturers and workers.
The enactment of the law will give the DOJ the authority to appoint special criminal trial attorneys and provide advanced technical assistance to federal, state and local enforcement agencies to investigate suspected trade cases involving China. Additionally, authorities will be allowed to take criminal and civil action simultaneously. The Attorney General must also submit to the US Congress annually a detailed report on these efforts and the use of the released funds.