Commerce to Form Commercial Issues Discussion Group With China
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, after meeting with China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, said the two countries will set up a commercial issues working group that will include both government officials and business representatives "to seek solutions on trade and investment issues and to advance U.S. commercial interests in China."
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A readout of the meeting issued Aug. 28 said the group will meet twice a year, and will be led by vice ministers. The first meeting will be in early 2024 in the U.S.
They also said they would hold "technical discussions regarding strengthening the protection of trade secrets and confidential business information during administrative licensing proceedings."
Intellectual property violations in China were a major factor in the Section 301 investigation that led to tariffs on most Chinese imports.
Reuters, reporting from Beijing, said Raimondo and Wentao discussed Chinese restrictions on Intel and Micron Technology, and they discussed China's export restrictions on gallium and germanium.
They said they will also begin an "export control enforcement information exchange, which will serve as a platform to reduce misunderstanding of U.S. national security policies." The first meeting is to be held Aug. 29, at the assistant secretary level.
The readout added: "Secretary Raimondo discussed opportunities to promote economic exchange where it aligns with U.S. interests and values. She underscored the importance of leveling the playing field for U.S. workers and businesses and ensuring the fair and transparent treatment of U.S. companies in China. Finally, Secretary Raimondo reinforced the Administration’s commitment to taking actions necessary to protect U.S. national security and reiterated the Administration’s “small yard, high fence” approach, underscoring that export controls are narrowly targeted at technologies that have clear national security or human rights impacts and are not about containing China’s economic growth."