"We've not experienced any instances at all where we have made a recommendation to the president and there's been any objection or interference from the NSC (National Security Council)," Kirk told reporters after a speech on U.S. trade enforcement at a specialty steel manufacturer.
U.S. trade officials were "studying" the possibility of bring a WTO challenge against China's currency practices, but had not made a decision yet, Kirk added.
Kirk was asked whether White House national security officials, for larger strategic reasons of maintaining good relations with China, were blocking three cases that have been reported to be in the works for months.
Kirk insisted his agency "solely has the responsibility to make decisions on U.S. trade policy," but greatly values the advice it receives from other agencies, including the NSC and the White House National Economic Council.
The Obama administration has filed just one WTO complaint against China since taking office in January 2009.
That was brought with the European Union and Mexico against Chinese export restraints on raw materials used to make steel, semi-conductors and other manufactured goods.
One of three possible new cases Kirk was asked about involves a specialty steel product made by Allegheny Technologies Inc, which hosted him for his speech.
The company's grain-oriented electrical steel, which is used in high-efficiency transformers, electric motors and generators, was hit this year with Chinese anti-dumping and countervailing duties it says are unjustified.
The second possible new case would challenge Chinese export restraints on rare earths, a raw material used in many advanced technology products including defense and clean energy goods.
The third would take on China Union Pay's monopoly on electronic payments in apparent violation of commitments China made when it joined the WTO.
"I just don't think it's smart policy to talk about specific cases that we're contemplating," Kirk said, when asked about the three possible disputes.
However, a second senior U.S. trade official, speaking on condition that he not be identified, confirmed the USTR has "taken a good close look at each of those."
Kirk said the United States hopes to resolve a number of trade issues with Beijing by the time he and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke host senior Chinese officials in November for the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.
He also said the Obama administration would not hesitate to impose punitive tariffs or take China to the WTO when attempts to resolve disputes through dialogue fail.
However, on one trade issue uppermost in the mind of many lawmakers, Kirk declined to say whether he thought it was possible to challenge China's currency practices at the WTO.
"It is a matter we're studying," he said.
Many lawmakers believe China deliberately undervalues its currency to give Chinese companies an unfair trade advantage. (Reuters)
