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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


Biden trade pick says China must deliver on phase-one pact
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.
Could Biden make US-China trade better for workers?
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.
China’s trade with US failed to meet phase-one deal targets last year, and 2021 is not expected to yield more success
Analysts point to unrealistic goals in original deal with United States, and overall trade goals may continue to remain elusive in this year.
Biden says will not kill Phase 1 trade deal with China immediately: NYT
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.
China looks set to miss US trade deal target, latest data show
Purchases of manufactured goods and energy eased last month. But soybean shipments nearly tripled and aircraft also surged.
China ramps up imports from US as trade deal target looms
Purchases of soybeans, oil surge in September, data show. China is still lagging its full-year target agreed with US.
US-China trade: soybeans, corn and cars surge, but Beijing still not close to meeting demands of deal
Despite the spending spree during the summer months, China is nowhere near meeting the overall targets set out in the phase one trade deal.
US, China reaffirm commitment to Phase 1 trade deal in phone call
Top US and Chinese trade officials reaffirmed their commitment to a Phase 1 trade deal, which has seen China lagging on its obligations to buy American goods.
US and China hold phone call on phase one trade agreement
US and Chinese trade negotiators held a phone call about implementing the phase one agreement between the two countries.
China, United States agree to hold trade talks, Chinese commerce ministry says
China and the United States have agreed to hold trade talks “in the coming days” to evaluate the progress of their Phase 1 trade deal six months after it took effect in February.