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China calls for talks over trade conflict
(Reuters/China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-16 19:41
The Chinese government on Thursday criticized new American pressure to cut
its surging trade surplus with the United States and warned against letting
disputes mar growing ties.
A Chinese worker walks past containers in
Longwu Port in Shanghai February 13, 2006. [Reuters]
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"To pressure or pledge sanctions against one another will not be beneficial
for solving this problem," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular
news briefing.
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said this week that Washington will
step up enforcement of trade laws, using "all options available" to compel China
to live up to commitments to open its markets and enforce intellectual property
rights.
Qin said the issue should be dealt with through negotiations, not threats.
Qin said the two sides "should view and deal with bilateral trade with a
strategic vision and grab the correct direction for the development of bilateral
relations."
Qin cited Christmas as an example of when Americans benefited greatly from
low-cost gifts and artificial trees, "most of which were manufactured or
produced by China."
"Trade with China benefits a vast number of consumers in the United States,"
he said.
The U.S. announcement followed news last week that America's trade deficit
with China rose to US$201.6 billion (euro169 billion), the largest deficit the
United States has ever incurred with a single country.
This soaring trade deficit has increased pressure on the administration from
US lawmakers.
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