Chamber Welcomes China's Commitment to Addressing U.S. Business Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce praised the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) for obtaining a commitment from China to combat counterfeiting activities and allow greater distribution of U.S. products at a meeting today in Beijing.

"The results of the meeting demonstrate that the JCCT process continues to be a constructive one that delivers tangible results for U.S. exporters, and investors," said Myron Brilliant, Chamber vice president for Asia. "But even as we recognize China's renewed commitment to enforce intellectual property rights and address other U.S. commercial concerns, we underscore that words are not a substitute for action."

At the JCCT meeting held today in Beijing, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez worked with Chinese officials on an agreement to increase criminal prosecution of intellectual property right (IPR) violations, curb exports of counterfeit goods, boost market access for U.S. software companies, and fulfill its WTO and prior JCCT commitments in the areas of distribution rights and direct sales.

"If properly implemented with sufficient law enforcement resources at all levels of the Chinese government, these commitments could lead to a significant reduction in counterfeiting and piracy," said Brilliant. "China's commitments should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling for future progress."

In May, the Chamber provided China's leadership with an eight-point strategic action plan to improve IPR enforcement and protection. The Chamber is also working to further constructive dialogue between the two countries by hosting two programs in China this week to improve IPR protection and enforcement.

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

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