- Negotiations
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
3-Jun-2021
South China Morning Post
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.
27-May-2021
South China Morning Post
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.
6-May-2021
Reuters
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.
26-Feb-2021
Bloomberg
Tai called on China to live up to the commitments in its trade pact with the US and wants to accomplish similar goals as her predecessor but in a more process-driven manner.
15-Feb-2021
The Diplomat
If decoupling is not in the cards, the United States must find a way to ensure trade improves the lives of workers – on both sides of the Pacific.
25-Jan-2021
South China Morning Post
Analysts point to unrealistic goals in original deal with United States, and overall trade goals may continue to remain elusive in this year.
2-Dec-2020
Reuters
Joe Biden will not immediately cancel the Phase 1 trade agreement that President Donald Trump struck with China nor take steps to remove tariffs on Chinese exports.
27-Nov-2020
Bloomberg
Purchases of manufactured goods and energy eased last month. But soybean shipments nearly tripled and aircraft also surged.
27-Oct-2020
Bloomberg
Purchases of soybeans, oil surge in September, data show. China is still lagging its full-year target agreed with US.
29-Sep-2020
South China Morning Post
Despite the spending spree during the summer months, China is nowhere near meeting the overall targets set out in the phase one trade deal.
