The United States may file a complaint with the World Trade Organization against China for not better protecting intellectual property, a U.S. trade official said last week in Beijing.

China's government has to "dramatically reduce" violations of intellectual property or the United States will not hesitate to take China to a dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization, James Mendenhall, general counsel of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, said in Beijing. "If we were to conclude that the dispute settlement is the best solution in dealing with China, we will not shy away from that," Mendenhall said during a lunch hosted by the U.S. business community in Beijing.

Mendenhall was in Beijing for three days of talks with Chinese officials over intellectual-property rights and other issues, including removing trade barriers to foreign auto parts. U.S. officials and lawmakers say rampant piracy is contributing to the nation's surging trade deficit with China.