Donohue Welcomes Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan to Washington

Touts JCCT Outcomes as Promoting a Better Environment for U.S. Business in China

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a dinner last night at the JW Marriot in Washington to honor Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, who is in the United States to co-chair the 23rd China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT).  Alongside U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank, and senior U.S. business executives, U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue delivered remarks welcoming the vice premier.  This morning, Donohue issued this statement on the outcomes of the JCCT meeting:

“It becomes more evident every day how critical the U.S.-China relationship is and how interdependent our nations have become.  As the world’s leading economies, global challenges increasingly require our bilateral cooperation, which is why we must seize every opportunity to build mutual trust and understanding and establish stronger economic ties.

“The U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade provides an important forum for our two governments to work together to identify and address areas where the relationship can be improved, and our shared commercial interests advanced.  The economies of both countries have benefited greatly from these meetings.  As a result, our businesses have been given more room to do what they do best; drive economic growth, innovate, and create jobs.

“Through the years, the U.S. Chamber has developed a positive working relationship with Vice Premier Wang.  There is much work to be done, and we are happy that in Vice Premier Wang, we have had a partner with whom we can do business.  We wish Vice Premier Wang well in his new position and look forward to continuing to work alongside Ambassador Kirk and Secretary Blank to engage his successor on issues of importance to the U.S. business community.

“We are encouraged by advancements on a number of issues at this year’s JCCT, including China’s commitments to revise or delay measures requiring local ownership of intellectual property rights as a condition to compete in its market and eliminate regulatory obstacles that impede U.S. exports, including in the areas of product testing and certification.  China also conceded that its definition of government procurement under the Government Procurement Law fails to capture all of China’s public procurement.  The Chamber looks forward to a more detailed dialogue between the two governments on the Chinese entities, including state-owned enterprises, that procure in the public interest and should therefore be included in China’s next offer to join the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement.

“The Chamber will closely monitor implementation of China’s new and past JCCT commitments, and we will continue to advocate vigorously for open markets for investors in both countries.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.