President Donald Trump signs an executive memorandum for an investigation into alleged Chinese theft of IP, August 14, 2017. (Photo: EPA/VNA)

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will find out if American companies have been forced to transfer intellectual property rights as a cost of doing business in China. Trump said Lighthizer has the authority to take counter-measures if necessary, and that it is his obligation to protect American labor rights. The President said the White House will safeguard copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property vital to US security and prosperity.