EU, U.S. say they can partner to hold China to account on 'trade-distorting policies' FILE PHOTO: U.S. and European Union flags are pictured in Brussels, Belgium February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir reuters_tickers This content was published on May 17, 2021 - 11:42 May 17, 2021 - 11:42 (Reuters) - The United States and the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday saying that they can partner to "hold countries like China that support trade-distorting policies to account". The statement was issued by the United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis.