US trade representative says efforts on a phase-two deal with China have faltered
- ‘We need to turn the page on the old playbook,’ Katherine Tai tells Congress, saying talks to build on the phase-one deal ‘have been unduly difficult’
- ‘China continues to double down on … plans that do not include meaningful reforms that address our concerns, or those of our allies,’ she adds
Washington’s top trade official said on Wednesday that negotiations with Beijing are not progressing and that the US must deepen economic relations both with traditional allies and countries beyond that sphere, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that talks with China intended to forge an agreement on issues beyond the phase-one deal reached more than two years ago “have been unduly difficult and we need to turn the page on the old playbook”.
The House and Senate began the formal process last week of reconciling the two versions of the bill.
02:18
US trade chief calls for ‘pragmatic approach’ in reveal of China strategy
Under the trade deal reached with the Trump administration in 2020, China committed to buying US$200 billion of US goods and services above 2017 levels over a two-year period.
