Chamber Applauds White House Decision on China Petitions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce welcomed today's dual decisions by the administration not to move forward with a petition filed by the AFL-CIO on Chinese labor standards or one that was soon to be filed on China's currency practices.

"For three decades, administrations of both parties have recognized the benefits of engagement with China to advance American interests," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "It is the strong U.S.-China relationship that has made dialogue and progress possible – even on areas of disagreement."

The Chamber had argued that neither the labor petition nor the protectionist remedies it recommended would be effective in improving China's labor rights environment. It also noted that a productive, high-level dialogue already is underway on China's currency regime.

Constructive engagement is at the foundation of U.S. efforts to urge China to open its markets and further develop the rule of law. American exports to China have risen 75 percent since 2000 – 29 percent in 2003 alone – creating new business opportunities for American farmers and workers.

"We support the administration's high-level engagement with China on issues from labor practices, to currency regimes, to WTO compliance," Donohue said. American business is also doing its part by applying high labor standards in its operations in China and promoting adoption of Western best business practices, including higher environmental, health and safety standards."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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