In a move to solidify the role of the private sector in its economy, China has passed its first Private Economy Promotion Law. The law, aimed at promoting the development of private enterprises and ensuring their equal treatment and participation in economic activities, will enter into force on May 20.

There were two new developments in the China - IPRs Enforcement (EU) dispute last week: (1) China filed its own appeal, and (2) the arbitrators in the appeal were announced.

On Friday, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced its final decision in an investigation into TikTok's practices related to personal data transfers, finding that TikTok violated EU law and imposing a fine of €530 million.

This past week, CTM covered the following issues: In China: * Threats of countermeasures against U.S. lawsuits related to COVID-19 * New policy measures to stabilize economy * Updates on antitrust review of CK Hutchison port deal * Discussion of international legal basis for China’s retaliation against U.S. with the WTO

Beijing is threatening to retaliate against ongoing U.S. lawsuits that seek to hold the Chinese government accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic. An 8,000-word report released by the government calls the lawsuits "politically motivated" and "absurd," and indicates China has various countermeasures at its disposal.

In recent months, the Trump administration has rolled out a number of trade actions, either China-specific or applying to all countries, which have increased the tariff rates applied to goods imported from China. Here is a breakdown of U.S. tariff policy, with an emphasis on specific items of interest.

In an interview yesterday with Fox News, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer pushed back on the idea that President Trump's trade agenda was all about China, and instead emphasized the administration's broader concerns with trade deficits and U.S. manufacturing.