SME Cooperation Forum

Gao Hucheng Met with Deputy US Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis

Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng met with Deputy US Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis at the 19th APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Surabaya, Indonesia on the morning of April 20. The two parties had an in-depth exchange of views on such issues as Sino-US economic and trade relations, regional economic cooperation and Doha Round negotiations. Assistant Minister of Commerce Yu Jianhua was present at the meeting.

Mr. Gao said that Sino-US economic and trade relationship is a corner stone in bilateral relations. And he himself, as the new Chinese Minister of Commerce, believes that Sino-US economic and trade relations will maintain a rapid development, which is in line with the interests of the two countries and the peoples, and will also contribute to world economic growth. China and US are not opponents in a zero-sum game, and accelerating to develop mutually beneficial and win-win economic and trade relations is the common consensus of the two governments and the industries. Of course, it is necessary to consider each other’s concerns in bilateral economic and trade exchanges.

Mr. Marantis agrees with Mr. Gao’s comments on Sino-US economic and trade relations. He said that US is committed to promoting the development of Sino-US economic and trade relations, and is willing to make positive and constructive efforts on it. US will support China to host the 2014 APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting, and would like to share its experience, and strengthen coordination with China.

Mr. Gao expressed his thanks for Mr. Marantis on supporting China to host the 2014 APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting. He said that China would like to learn from US experience to host the APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting, and will strengthen communication with US. And the success of 2014 APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting depends on the joint efforts of all APEC members.

Regarding Doha Round negotiations, Mr. Marantis said that the WTO Ministerial Conference will soon be held in Bali, and we are at a critical moment to push forward the Doha Round negotiations. US and China should continue to cooperate on preparing the package of results in Bali. And US appreciates China’s efforts in the negotiations of the expansion of Information Technology Agreement (ITA), and welcomes China to work out a tentative inventory.

Mr. Gao said if all parties could not reach agreement on early harvest agreement, we may missed the opportunity, which may not only undermine the entire Doha Round negotiations, but also may jeopardize the entire multilateral trading system, which is nobody want to see. He hopes that all parties to join efforts, with steadfast political will and flexibility, to reach the early harvest agreement on schedule.

Mr. Gao said China would like to work with all parties to promote the ITA expansion negotiations to reach an agreement as early as possible. ITA expansion negotiations shall contribute to global information technology products trade and the development of China's information industry.

The two parties also exchanged views on such the follow-up work of the 23rd session of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.