China should push the United States during the Sino-US Strategic
Economic Dialogue (SED) to lift controls on high-tech exports and
ease trade protectionism, Chinese experts have suggested.
"Lifting US restrictions on high-tech exports to China will be a
feasible way to achieve a more balanced trade between the two
countries," said Li Zhongzhou, a former senior trade
negotiator.
While complaining about the growing trade deficit, the US
administration has enforced strict controls on high-tech exports to
China for "security reasons".
Last July, it added license requirements for items defined as
"military end-use", and made the application procedure more
complicated.
"In particular, Washington should consider how to facilitate
non-military high-tech exports to China," Li said.
Besides, the United States should curb trade protectionism and
refrain from pressuring China to revalue its currency, Fang
Xinghai, former deputy chief executive of the Shanghai Stock
Exchange, was quoted by Financial Times as saying.
Mei Xinyu, a trade researcher with the Chinese Academy of
International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said China could put
forward a lot of issues during the negotiations.
One example, he said, is how the United States can lower its
fiscal deficit and increase the savings rate at home to address the
global imbalance in the current account.
He also suggested the two sides discuss eliminating the
discriminatory treatment on Chinese investment and goods in the
United States, especially in dumping charges and countervailing
cases, and the resumption of the Doha Round of Talks of the World
Trade Organization.
Li said China could take the opportunity of the SED and
interaction with US legislators to let more Americans understand
that trade with China does not hurt the interests of the United
States - instead, it benefits both the US economy and its
people.
Between 2000 and 2006, US exports to China increased 240 percent
with growth far outstripping exports to the rest of the world in
almost every state.
For example, exports to China from Vermont increased 13-fold;
Delaware, 8 times; and South Carolina, more than 4 times.
(China Daily May 23, 2007)