MNI Policy: China Tough Talks Signal No Compromise at Summit

     BEIJING (MNI) - China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday displayed an

unwillingness to bow to pressure from the Donald Trump administration on the two

countries' trade conflicts, clouding the outlook for progress from a

presidential summit later this month. 

     MNI lists highlights from the ministry's weekly press briefing:

     -China "absolutely can't accept" U.S. charges that it hasn't fundamentally

changed its practices in technology transfer and intellectual property

protection, made in a report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

earlier this week. Such "update" on China's trade practices "disregarded truth

and was based on hearsay evidence," said spokesman Gao Feng.

     -Gao criticized the U.S. 301 investigation, calling U.S. "unilateral and

protectionist" measures place its law above international rules and damage the

WTO's multilateral trade system. He urged the U.S. to stop words and actions

that damage bilateral economic and trade relations.

     -China will watch closely the U.S. tightening controls on hi-tech exports

to China and take necessary measures accordingly. Gao urged the U.S. to take

"constructive measures" to truly improve trade environment and reduce

imbalances.

     -"It's regrettable" that some member tried to impose its version of a

statement prioritizing its own interest onto others, which were rebuffed by many

APEC members especially developing countries, Gao said in response to a

questions why no communique was reached at the last meeting.

     -The working teams of China and the U.S. have been in close contact to

facilitate the consensus reached by presidents of the two countries in their Nov

1 phone call, Gao said.

     -The ministry also expressed willingness to facilitate an free-trade

agreement with Canada, which said the amended NAFTA agreement with the U.S.

can't stop it from having an FTA with China. China will also accelerate FTA

negotiations with Peru.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: iris.ouyang@marketnews.com

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