The 23rd session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) concluded in Washington, D.C. on December 19. Established in 1983, the JCCT is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade and investment issues and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and China.
The latest forum was chaired by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan. Representatives from 25 Chinese government agencies also participated, as did U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke
and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
According to Ambassador Kirk’s office, despite advancements on some key issues – such as addressing concerns on intellectual property rights, agreeing on the elimination of significant regulatory obstacles impeding U.S. exports and securing meaningful steps toward China’s accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement – there is still much work to be done to ensure that China’s market is open to American exports and investment.
The U.S. and Chinese governments also signed agreements related to enhancing understanding and measurement of bilateral trade, and increasing the numbers of reverse trade missions, which support China’s continued development while creating more U.S. exports and jobs.
According to Justine Badimon, USCIB’s manager of China and Asia-Pacific affairs, business hopes to see continued increased commitment from both sides on building sustainable strong economic ties to ensure mutual benefits, and supports the advancement of economic issues through meaningful bilateral dialogues such as the JCCT and the Strategic & Economic Dialogue.
Click on the links to read a USTR press release on the JCCT’s conclusion and a fact sheet on the meetings detailing key results.
