United States should focus on China’s technology plans when trade talks resume, business groups say
- US Chamber of Commerce and American Chamber of Commerce in China deliver joint report to Office of US Trade Representative before trade talks resume
- Washington should address Chinese policies and practices the report claims are unfair and restrictive for American companies
Two US business groups have told American trade negotiators that Beijing is moving ahead with its hi-tech ambitions as outlined in the “Made in China 2025” strategy, a policy expected to be a focus of talks that resume next week to try to end the trade war.
In a joint report with the American Chamber of Commerce in China, the US Chamber of Commerce said it had identified more than 100 policies in 24 provinces and cities that “either set targets, create rules, or provide normative guidance” that directly institute or are related to MIC 2025, a key initiative backed by Chinese President Xi Jinping to build up technology sectors including robotics, semiconductors, AI and aviation.
The groups’ conclusions were delivered to the Office of the US Trade Representative last week, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first wrote about the report.
The Chinese advances are occurring at the local level, according to the report, seen by the South China Morning Post.
“Developing and owning indigenous innovation and intellectual property is a primary goal” and regional governments had been actively developing and promoting their own plans in line with MIC2025 with state support, the US Chamber of Commerce said.
“It suggests a deep, concerted, and continuing effort among sub-central authorities to carry out and take advantage of incentives ties to Made in China 2025 plan,” the report said. “Any solution must address systemic challenges at all levels of the Chinese government.”