Trump Puts Amazon, Alibaba And Other Online Marketplaces On Notice For Sale Of Counterfeit Goods

President Donald Trump put Amazon, eBay and Alibaba and other online marketplaces on notice Wednesday, signing a memorandum that aims to curb the sale of counterfeit items online.

“This is a shot across the bow to those companies. If you don’t clean it up, then the government will,” Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro told reporters.

The effort comes as major online marketplaces have struggled to control the sale of fake products from third-party vendors.

Navarro said the White House will aim to gather more data on how widespread the problem is and who is to blame.

The administration will require a report within 210 days from the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce and Justice, according to the memorandum. It will analyze how widespread the problem is and how effective current responses are, while recommending potential regulatory or legislative changes to better combat the sale of fake goods.

In statements, Amazon, Alibaba and eBay said they prohibit and don’t welcome the sale of counterfeit products and welcomes the US initiative.