China has made remarkable progress in opening its economy since
it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) five years ago, former
US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky told Xinhua recently in
an exclusive interview.
"China's implementation of WTO commitments has in general been
good, though there are several areas of concerns expressed by the
US, the EU and others," said Barshefsky, one of the architects of
China's WTO agreement in 2001.
"Most notably, with respect to intellectual property protection
(IPR), with respect to services market opening, China is still
completing its commitments under the WTO," she said.
These two areas, IPR and services, are very important, she said,
adding that "there are quite visible signs of China's
implementation of its WTO commitments."
In view of its economic size, it is increasingly important for
China to do everything it can to implement fully its WTO
commitments, Barshefsky said, but she also thought "as a general
matter, China has made quite remarkable progress in opening its
economy, in welcoming imports and in inviting foreign
investments."
The fact that China has remade its economy as a spur to global
growth should not be ignored, she said.
Mentioning China's "very rapid, very substantial, very
consistent" economic development, Barshefsky said "China is no
longer a bystander in the world economy."
"It has become an important hub in the global economy and as
such it takes on responsibilities beyond merely its own economic
development," she added.
Barshefsky said that China has actively assisted the management
of global economy and played an important role in policy making
alongside the European Union, the United States, Japan and
others.
When asked about trade disputes between China and the US and the
EU, Barshefsky said that she is "very much in favor of
negotiation."
"I am not in the position to say whether China or the US fully
explored all possible negotiated solutions, or whether China or
Europe fully explored all possible negotiated solutions. I
certainly hope all sides did, because that would take out better
outcomes for everybody."
"Trade sanctions often do not solve problems, but sometimes
mutual cooperation can. So, every opportunity always has to be
given to try to find the negotiated solution before any further
steps are taken," noted the chief trade negotiator and principal
trade policy maker for the Untied States from 1997 to 2001.
About Doha round global trade talks, Barshefsky said that "it
will be good to see Doha conclude in a positive way. All countries
have to be flexible."
Talking about the agriculture disputes between developed and
developing countries, the trade expert said that subsidies by the
US and Europe to agriculture must come down substantially. Export
subsides should be eliminated and domestic subsidies should be cut
very dramatically.
"Unless that happens, the trade effect for poorer countries will
not be particularly significant at all. And that will be an
unfortunate outcome for something called 'the development round',"
she said.
Recalling the negotiation for China's entry into the WTO,
Barshefsky said that "China is a very, very tough negotiating
partner."
"China and the US share a very important common characteristic,
and that is we are practical people," she said.
Because both the Chinese people and American people share this
common characteristic, she said, "we were often able to overcome
differences, even political differences, by simply coming up with a
practical solution that benefited both sides."
"I think the Chinese side particularly excelled at this, but the
US side did as well. So, even on complicated issues, we could find
a situation to come to agreement, and that really led to the kind
of historic outcome that was achieved," she said.
Barshefsky mentioned that "trade is the foundation of the
US-China relationship. It causes friction, of course, but also
great benefits for both countries."
"I think the challenge for the US and China is to learn how to
cooperate in a meaningful way," said the former US top trade
official.
Now a Senior International Partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering
Hale and Dorr LLP, Barshefsky said that the famous law company
represents many, many American companies and European and Japanese
companies investing in China.
"We are very actively involved in China," she said.
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2006)
