BEIJING, CHINA—Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez today said progress is being made on market access for U.S. software and increased prosecutions for IPR violations, but additional work is needed to further address U.S. concerns on a number of fronts.
“The real outcome of this meeting will be known when we see the results in the months ahead. We will monitor all commitments closely,” Gutierrez said.
“This year’s JCCT is a step forward in strengthening market access for U.S. goods in China—particularly in the area of computer software—as well as improving the enforcement of intellectual property rights. However, we still have much more work to do before we are satisfied with progress in these and other areas,” said Gutierrez.
The U. S. delegation was represented by JCCT co-Chairs Secretary Gutierrez and United States Trade Representative Rob Portman, and United States Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns.
The plenary session of the 16 th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) was held in Beijing on July 11, 2005. Co-Chaired on the Chinese side by Vice Premier Wu Yi and on the U.S. side by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and USTR Rob Portman, with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns playing an important role, the 16 th JCCT built on successes achieved at the 15 th JCCT and realized new progress on key U.S. systemic trade concerns. The JCCT has proven to be a useful forum for engagement on matters of serious bilateral concern, and has delivered real and meaningful results for American businesses, workers, and farmers.
Established in 1983, the JCCT is a government-to-government consultative mechanism that provides a forum to resolve trade concerns and pursue bilateral commercial opportunities. The status of the JCCT was elevated following the December 2003 meeting of President Bush and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to focus higher-level attention to outstanding trade disputes. The Administration will continue to use the JCCT and other tools at its disposal to further open China’s market to U.S. goods and services, ensure that China faithfully implements its World Trade Organization commitments and ensure that China trade is being conducted on fair terms.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
