The Trump administration is seeking to convince the EU and Japan to join its efforts to tackle China over Beijing’s intellectual property regime as it tries to address one of the top concerns of foreign businesses operating in China. 

The move follows Washington’s launch in the summer of an investigation into Chinese IP theft and forced technology transfer rules that some fear could lead to US tariffs and a trade war between the world’s two largest economies. It also marks the administration’s first major attempt to co-operate with traditional trade allies in taking on China. 

However, European and Japanese officials are wary and point to what they see as the risk in co-operating with a bellicose and mercurial US president who has vowed to pursue an “America First” foreign and trade policy.