Donohue Supports Continued Progress of SED

Dialogue Continues to Move Countries' in a Positive Direction

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Upon the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) in Annapolis, Maryland today, Tom Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement:

"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is supportive of the continued progress of the United States and China at the fourth meeting of the SED. This dialogue continues to move the U.S.-China commercial relationship in a positive direction and has brought concrete progress to both sides on important issues.

"We are pleased that the two governments placed at the top of their agenda the importance of liberalizing trade, promoting market-driven competition, and fostering open investment regime.

"The Chamber strongly supports the launch of negotiations by the two governments on a high-standard investment agreement. We believe both sides should pursue an investment agreement that follows the most recent U.S. bilateral investment treaty, expands market access for foreign investors, and addresses as comprehensively as possible investment practices that are discriminatory or deny market access.

"Vice Premier Wang Qishan should be commended for his commitments this week to enhance transparency and - as expressed in his op-ed in the Wall Street Journal - promote innovation in China through enhanced protection and criminal enforcement of intellectual property rights. We welcome the announcement by the two governments that they will resume discussions on IPR issues. However, we are closely monitoring regulatory developments underway in China - in the areas of patent, standards, competition, and tax policy - that could undermine the ability of foreign companies to operate and compete by using these rights.

"Energy and the environment can be-and should be-unifying factors for both countries. The Ten-Year Framework provides a robust mechanism to advance U.S.-China cooperation in diversifying energy sources, promoting clean energy technologies, and achieving greater energy efficiency. The Chamber fully supports the continuing efforts of U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Vice Premier Wang to make advancing bilateral cooperation on energy and environment a centerpiece of the SED."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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