DHS raids Chinese car parts maker’s U.S. headquarters
The Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant last week at the Ohio-based U.S. subsidiary of Qingdao Sunsong, a Chinese automobile parts manufacturer that a congressional committee has accused of trade fraud.
The big picture: There is growing concern among lawmakers that Chinese companies are evading U.S. tariffs.
What’s happening: DHS agents searched the premises of Harco Manufacturing Group in Moraine, Ohio on Thursday, Dayton Daily News and other local news reported.
- Sunsong Holdings acquired Harco Manufacturing Group in 2015.
- The search was held at 3535 Kettering Boulevard, the address of Harco’s plant, and the same address that Sunsong North America lists on its website.
What they’re saying: The search was “part of an ongoing federal investigation,” a DHS spokesperson told Dayton Daily News.
- DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sunsong North America and Harco did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Details: In September, members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party wrote a letter to DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that accused Qingdao Sunsong of moving some of its production to Thailand in order to evade U.S. tariffs.
- The letter cited Qingdao Sunsong’s public filings, which state the company’s products are subject to U.S. import tariffs of 25% imposed on certain goods made in China and that “in order to reduce tariff costs, the issuer has accelerated production in Thailand.”
- In the letter, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) call Sunsong’s activities a “case of blatant trade fraud that is having a catastrophic impact on American manufacturers.”
- “The use of transshipment to evade United States tariffs is a serious violation of U.S. law and undermines American economic and national security,” the lawmakers wrote.
Background: The Biden administration has kept many of the tariffs that the Trump administration imposed on China beginning in 2018.
- China has failed to meet its commitment under a 2020 trade deal with the U.S. to increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services.
Get more international news in your inbox with Axios World.
News Related-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich until end of January
-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges
-
Israel's economy recovered from previous wars with Hamas, but this one might go longer, hit harder
-
Stock market today: Asian shares mixed ahead of US consumer confidence and price data
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Sister Wives' star Christine Brown says her kids' happy marriages inspired her leave Kody Brown
-
NBA fans roast Clippers for losing to Nuggets without Jokic, Murray, Gordon
-
Panthers-Senators brawl ends in 10-minute penalty for all players on ice
-
CNBC Daily Open: Is record Black Friday sales spike a false dawn?
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
Biden’s unworkable nursing rule will harm seniors
-
Jalen Hurts: We did what we needed to do when it mattered the most
-
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB