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2009 Global Think Tank Summit > Photo Gallery
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US, 皇冠体育app vow to fight protectionismBy Cai Hong (皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-29 08:15 WASHINGTON: Protectionism is not the answer to tough economic times, top trade officials agreed on Tuesday. "History tells us that openness and cooperation are all the more important amid a crisis," Commerce Minister Chen Deming said Monday at the US-皇冠体育app Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum, where he reached consensus on important issues with US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke.
"We agreed on strengthening our cooperation on trade and fighting protectionism," Chen said after the forum. He told US businesspeople that the Chinese government isn't pursuing a large trade surplus. Chen asked the US to create an environment that would encourage Chinese firms to buy more from the US.
The three Chinese trade delegations include large State-owned enterprises and private corporations in mechanical and electronic engineering, light industry and investment. They are traveling in 14 states, looking for opportunities for trade and investment. The two countries are exploring possibilities for cooperation in small business, environmental protection, high technology and energy conservation. Chen asked the Obama administration to abide by the authorization of the Doha Round under the World Trade Organization framework.
Chen is the first Chinese cabinet member to visit the US after President Hu Jintao met with US President Barack Obama in London earlier this month. Chen's visit shows that 皇冠体育app and the US have put their economic relations on top of the agenda since the economic meltdown. It is an opportunity for Chen to acquaint himself with his US counterpart Locke and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Both of the US officials took office last month. Locke and Energy Secretary Steven Chu, two Chinese Americans in Obama's cabinet, are expected to visit 皇冠体育app in September. Locke said he may be accompanied by a large US delegation. "Economic and trade relations between 皇冠体育app and the US are a very important basis for bilateral ties," Chen said. "Despite cases of trade friction amid the economic crisis, the two counties should prevent protectionism from raising its ugly head." While 皇冠体育app turns to high-profile channels to communicate with the US, it is prepared to protect the interests of its companies. "皇冠体育app will resort to the World Trade Organization if the US takes unfair actions against Chinese companies," Chen said. The US International Trade Commission on Thursday approved anti-dumping duties ranging from 74 to 101 percent on welded steel line pipe from 皇冠体育app that it said was sold at unfairly low prices.
The first Global Think Tank Summit will be held in Beijing from July 2-4, where close to 100 top-notch think tanks from home and abroad will be represented, including the Brookings Institution.
Main Forum
 International Financial and Economic Crisis and Global Economic OutlookSub-Forums
I: Promoting Trade Liberalization and Investment FacilitationII: Sustainable Development and Macro-economic PoliciesIII: Cooperation and Responsibilities of Multinationals during the Financial and Economic CrisisIV: Global Consumption, Savings and Financial SecurityV: Idea Exchange with Global Think Tanks on Key Economic IssuesAgenda
Afternoon of July 2 - Opening CeremonyJuly 3 - Main ForumJuly 4 - Parallel Sub-Forums |
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