President Obama announced a new trade case against China that aims to crack down on unfair trading practices that put U.S. companies at a competitive disadvantage.
The U.S. is bringing the case to the World Trade Organization, European Union and Japan today to facilitate talks with China over exports of rare earth minerals, which are used in the manufacturing of hybrid car batteries and other electronics.
He also said that his administration has brought trade cases against China at twice the rate of the previous administration.
The White House has stated the intent is to "level the playing field for America’s businesses and workers."
At the top of his statement, he spoke on the recent killing of Afghan civilians, calling it "outrageous" and "unacceptable." He said that it is not representative of our military and that he “views the killing of Afghan civilians as seriously as if they were Americans." He called on the Pentagon to conduct a full investigation.