Emergency Committee For American Trade

JCCT Takes Some Positive Steps in U.S.-China Trade and Commercial Relationship

ECAT Urges Continued Work to Achieve Concrete Results Later this Month

Washington, D.C., April 11, 2006–The Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT) today welcomed the results of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), but urged continued work with the following statement by ECAT’s President, Calman J. Cohen:

"ECAT welcomes China’s commitments today to take a number of steps to put in place mechanisms to address several key issues in the U.S.-China relationship. While these steps move in the right direction, ECAT urges redoubled efforts by both the U.S. and Chinese governments to achieve truly concrete progress in time for the upcoming visit of China’s President Hu Jintao later this month.

"ECAT recognizes China’s new commitments, including formally starting negotiations to join the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) no later than the end of 2007 and taking further steps to protect intellectual property rights.

"To produce needed market-access improvements, however, more concrete action is required. Actual opening by a date certain of China’s market to U.S. beef exports, stronger steps on the protection of intellectual property rights, and a commitment to accede to the GPA by a target date are the type of concrete progress that should be achieved later this month.

"ECAT is very appreciative of the resolve and steadfast efforts of U.S. Trade Representative Portman, Commerce Secretary Gutierrez, Agriculture Secretary Johanns and their top negotiators, in continuing this dialogue that is critical to produce long-sought improvements in the U.S.-China commercial relationship. We look forward to continuing to work with the U.S. government to secure additional progress."

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Founded in 1967, ECAT is an organization of the heads of leading U.S. international business enterprises representing all major sectors of the American economy. Their annual worldwide sales total nearly $2.4 trillion and they employ approximately five and one-half million persons. ECAT’s purpose is to promote economic growth through the expansion of international trade and investment.