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US-China

Washington and Beijing began formal negotiations towards a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in June 2008. A year later, the highly sensitive talks were halted until July 2013. The US is interested in getting Chinese restrictions on foreign ownership in about 100 sectors — from soybean oil and automobiles to life insurance and other financial services — lifted for US companies which want to expand their market presence there. The Chinese government is interested in getting more security for highly-scrutinised Chinese investments in the US and its massive holdings of US sovereign debt ($1.3 trillion).

In late 2013, China agreed to initiate talks on a possible BIT with the European Union as well.

July 2014


China to keep close tabs on US investment strategy
China will keep a close watch on the strategy adopted by the United States vis-a-vis inbound investments and continue to oppose the use of national security to limit foreign investments, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.
US-China talk about beef
Following a 2003 ban on US beef due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, China has allowed boneless US beef from cattle under 30 months back in since last June.
‘US-China trade war to slow Asean’s economic progress’
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will not take the brewing trade conflict between the United States and China sitting down, as the regional bloc will urge the two economies to shun protectionism in favor of free trade at its 32nd summit this week.
Trade war with China could stunt Texas agriculture, economy
he prospect of a trade war with China may seem far off, but US proposals to steeply raise tariffs on its goods, along with the Chinese response, could hit Texans close to home.
US needs China more than China needs the US
Not one to be outdone by any adversary, Donald Trump has upped the ante in a rapidly escalating trade war with China, threatening an additional $100 billion of tariffs on top of the initial round of $50 billion. In doing so, the Trump administration is failing to appreciate a crucial reality: The United States needs China more than China needs the US.
US-China ties wobble as trade war escalates
Since China began its reform and opening-up in late 1970s, growing trade and investment ties have been a key pillar of Sino-US relations. But US President Donald Trump’s recently imposed 25 percent steel tariffs and 10 percent aluminum tariffs on China and others exporting those goods to the US is just the start of nationalist economic policies that not only strain US-China ties, but put the entire global trade regime at risk.
US to seek ’good faith’ agreements with China, says US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross
US President Donald Trump will seek "tangible" agreements on trade with China when he visits the country, but results on key issues such as market access may take longer.
The US can now ship rice to China for the first time
The rice deal comes just a month after China reopened its market to US beef imports for the first time in more than a decade and is the latest in a flurry of trade negotiations between the nations. China is also approving more biotech products and increasing US natural gas imports.
US, China fail to agree on trade issues, casting doubt on other issues
The United States and China failed on Wednesday to agree on major new steps to reduce the US trade deficit with China, casting doubt over President Trump’s economic and security relations with Beijing.
What’s at stake at China-US Comprehensive Economic Dialogue?
Experts said the upcoming dialogue will be a good chance for negotiation on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).