Senior Republican Criticizes China Trade Policies, Backs TPP
"We cannot ignore that China is our second largest trading partner overall and our third largest export market," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., in a speech April 26 to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. But he said China "purposefully impedes market access for U.S. goods and services and blatantly steals the intellectual property of American businesses."
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Camp said he and Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus wrote to the Obama administration earlier this year to encourage it to press the Chinese on their currency issue at the WTO: "While there have been some encouraging signs as China seeks to rebalance its economy away from export-led growth and undertakes limited financial sector reforms, China must do more," and the U.S. "should continue to aggressively press China to allow market forces to determine China’s currency."
Camp also said the U.S. should pursue a Bilateral Investment Treaty with China, "and I’m glad that the Administration has finally launched its Model BIT." (See ITT Online Archives 12042306).
Camp said he has "concerns that countries such as India, Brazil, and Argentina are emulating some of China’s poor trade practices. We need better engagement with these countries to prevent them from going down this slippery slope." He said he supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, but remains "concerned about the Administration’s approach to labor and environment issues."