US, China ‘sorely need’ to resume trade talks and CPTPP could play role, American lobbyist says
- China and the US are still locked in a stalemate over resuming senior-level bilateral trade dialogue despite the expiry of their initial trade deal in December
- Beijing has submitted its application to join the 11-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
More comprehensive, regular and transparent communication is “sorely needed” between China and the United States, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) could help drive bilateral talks over trade grievances, according to the head of a major American business lobbying group.
Without [dialogue], both countries appear to assume the worst of the other
“At least this would allow both sides to better understand the priorities and concerns and decisions of the other, talking is better than not talking,” Allen said on Thursday during a forum held by the Beijing-based think tank, the Centre for China and Globalisation.
“Without [dialogue], both countries appear to assume the worst of the other. When [dialogue] comes to trade specifically, perhaps the two sides could use CPTPP as a framework or an agenda for the negotiation.”
The US walked away from the deal in the early days of the Trump administration when it was known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.