Obama Budget Seeks Funding for Trade as China’s Xi Arrives

President Barack Obama asked Congress for $26 million and at least 50 people for a new U.S. panel to investigate unfair trade practices by nations including China, whose Vice President Xi Jinping arrives today for a U.S. visit.

The 2013 budget proposal Obama submitted to Congress today contains funds for an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center that would monitor and enforce trade agreements and laws, Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters. Obama announced his intention to create the panel, which includes lawyers, researchers, analysts and agents supported by the Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative, in his Jan. 24 State of the Union speech.