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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


Cautious China approves GMO alfalfa import after decade-long wait
Beijing promised to speed up access to its market under the Phase 1 trade deal concluded with the United States in 2020.
US calls for ’concrete action’ from China to meet Phase 1 purchase commitments
US officials called for "concrete action" from China to make good on its commitment to purchase $200 billion in additional US goods and services under the "Phase 1" trade deal signed by former President Trump.
China misses trade deal targets, raising pressure on Biden
The landmark trade deal signed in 2020 between the world’s two largest economies failed to reduce the bilateral trade deficit.
China hopes US can enable more trade amid ’Phase 1’ deal uncertainties
China hopes the United States can create conditions to expand trade cooperation, after Chinese purchases of U.S. goods in the past two years fell short of the targets in a Trump-era trade deal.
US-China phase-one trade deal gets a reality check after nearly two years
As the two-year deadline for the phase-one trade deal between the world’s two largest economies is approaching, all eyes are on the next step.
US, China hold trade talks, with tariff removal among the agendas
They reviewed the implementation of the phase one deal and agreed that the two sides would "consult on certain outstanding issues," the USTR office said.
China will likely fail in its CPTPP bid — but it’s a ‘smart’ move against the US, say analysts
China will likely fail in its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership — but its move to submit an application highlighted the lack of U.S. economic policy in Asia-Pacific, said analysts.
US-China tech war: why a digital trade deal with Japan and South Korea is key to gaining the upper hand
In this competition over standards, whichever nation first strikes a trilateral deal with technology leaders Japan and South Korea will secure a strategic chokepoint in the digital architecture of Asia.
US-China trade war: top negotiators hold ‘candid and constructive’ talks, first of Joe Biden presidency
USTR said the phase one trade deal was important but only one part of a challenging and complex relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
US, China to assess Phase 1 deal soon, Biden trade chief says
US Trade Representative said she expects to engage “in the near term” with Chinese officials to assess their implementation of the “Phase 1” trade deal.