Agreements Build Upon Gutierrez November 2006 Trade Mission BEIJING—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today presided over the signing of contracts that represent expanded access to China's market. Companies signing contracts with their Chinese counterparts are The Home Depot, Oshkosh Truck Corporation, VeriSign, and GE Aviation with a deal valued at more than a half-billion dollars. This commercial cooperation highlights the strengthening economic relationship between the U.S. and China. The new deals support jobs in the U.S. and further increase U.S. exports to China which are up 34 percent this year.
"Five years ago China entered the WTO putting itself on the path to economic reform and open markets. With today's agreements, the top quality brands of The Home Depot, Oshkosh, VersiSign and GE will soon be recognized from Main Street U.S.A to mainland China," said Gutierrez.
"As a leader in the global economy, China needs to do more to open its markets, protect intellectual property and implement economic reforms," added Gutierrez. "Our economic relationship will be strengthened by market forces that foster competition and adherence to the rule of law." The signings build upon last month's trade mission that Secretary Gutierrez led to China with 25 American companies exploring new commercial opportunities. Three members of the trade mission—The Home Depot, Oshkosh Truck Corporation and VeriSign—are among the companies signing agreements.
Today's signings include the following company information:
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
