U.S., China Sign Guidelines for High Technology and Strategic Trade Development During 18th JCCT
The Commerce Department has issued a press release announcing that the Commerce Department and China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) have signed the "Guidelines for U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade Development," in order to facilitate safe and secure, bilateral civilian high-technology trade.
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The Guidelines were developed by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and MOFCOM under the auspices of the U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade Working Group (HTWG)1 and were signed in Beijing on the occasion of the 18th Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)2.
Guidelines Continue Momentum on Streamlining Dual-Use Licensing Process
Commerce states that the signing of these Guidelines continues the positive momentum of ongoing bilateral discussions and provides a framework for future discussions. For example, the Commerce Department and MOFCOM will continue to review U.S. dual-use policy to identify and implement appropriate processes to streamline the licensing process for legitimate civilian trade.
Guidelines Recognize Role of End-Use Visits, Information Sharing
The Guidelines also recognize the critical role of end-use visits in ensuring the protection of U.S. national security interests in the enhancement of high technology trade.
According to a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) fact sheet, the HTWG agreed to expand information sharing on market opportunities and identify and eliminate unnecessary barriers to bilateral, civilian high-technology trade.
U.S.-China Trade in 2006
Commerce notes that U.S. exports to China totaled $55 billion in 2006, up 32% from 2005. U.S. high technology exports to China increased by 44% in 2006, to $17.7 billion.
1The HTWG was established at the 2005 JCCT as a mechanism for furthering U.S.-China cooperation on export control and high technology trade issues.
2The JCCT convened on December 11, 2007. In addition to the JCCT, during the week of December 10, 2007, the U.S. and China held other bilateral dialogues, including the 3rd Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED).
(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/13/07 news, 07121320, for BP summary of highlights of the outcomes from the JCCT meeting.
See ITT's Online Archives or 12/13/07 and 12/19/07 news, 07121315 and 07121915, for BP summaries on the U.S. and China signing agreements, in advance of the 3rd SED, on food and feed safety, and on the safety of certain drugs and medical devices, respectively.)
Commerce Department press release (dated 12/11/07) available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_004904
USTR fact sheet (dated 12/11/07) available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2007/asset_upload_file675_13697.pdf