The Alliance of American Manufacturers blasted Donald Trump for not following through on his campaign promises about trade with China.

The Trump administration’s lack of progress on trade issues has come under fire from a group of manufacturing companies and labor unions.

“Don’t let the president’s tweets fool you. Every chance the administration has had to make meaningful change on trade policy, they’ve kicked the can down the road,” said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

“Just over one year ago, President-elect Trump promised to get tough on China’s trade cheating by stopping Beijing’s intellectual property theft, massive overcapacity and currency manipulation. Now as president, Trump is currently zero for three on these issues,” Paul said. 

Paul observed the Trump administration has delayed a Section 301 investigation into China’s intellectual property theft and has pushed off the investigation into China’s steel and aluminum overcapacity. Meanwhile, steel imports have risen 18% since April and any hope of finally labeling China a currency manipulator has fizzled.

(Big changes to NAFTA could put big hurt on U.S. consumers. For the story, Click Here.)

AAM President Scott Paul is chiding President Donald Trump for not getting tougher on China.

“It is time for the administration to move from tweets to action. Job growth won’t be sustainable without smart policy that cracks down on China’s trade cheating, invests in infrastructure, and ensures a tax policy that boosts export,” he said.

The Trump administration is scheduled to begin negotiations with Mexico and Canada on changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump has also threatened to turn up the heat on China over various trade issues, including dumping steel.

(Click Here for the details about the opening of NAFTA renegotiations.)

The manufacturing sector gained 16,000 jobs in July, according to the latest employment data from the Labor Department. Durable goods accounted for 13,000 manufacturing jobs amid hopes for action on the 232 steel and aluminum trade investigations.

Meanwhile, the goods deficit with China expanded to $31.3 billion, according to the Commerce Department, the Alliance noted in a statement.

(No change to NAFTA rule of origin Mexico officials say. Click Here for the story.)

The Alliance for American Manufacturing, describes itself as a non-partisan partnership formed in 2007 by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers.