U.S. Chamber Applauds Expanded Strategic Dialogue Between the United States and China

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today expressed its strong support for the announcement by President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao to expand high-level dialogue between the two countries in the form of a new Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

"We applaud the President for his decision to pursue expanded engagement with China," U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said. "There is no question that the new Strategic and Economic Dialogue will be a critical forum to forge common solutions that can return the global economy to prosperity and address shared geopolitical challenges."

"The Chamber looks forward to working with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner in their efforts to guide the United States in its increasingly complex and wide-ranging interactions with China," added Myron Brilliant, the Chamber's senior vice president for International Affairs.

The Chamber said the creation of the new dialogue, along with the existing Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, will substantially bolster cooperation between the two nations on key issues. This includes expanding two-way trade and investment, combating protectionism, addressing global imbalances, enhancing energy security and safeguarding the environment, and protecting intellectual property rights.

As part of the effort to foster an improved environment for high-level discussions, Brilliant urged the continuation of a results-oriented dialogue with China that resolves pressing issues in the commercial relationship between the two countries.

"We're ready and willing to work with U.S. and Chinese officials to develop constructive solutions to challenging global and bilateral issues," Brilliant said.

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.

# # #