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Hu urges China-US trade ties during meeting with Obama

By Fu Jing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-23 11:30

President Hu Jintao is asking the US not to repeat similar cases of imposing punitive tariffs on tires imported from China, urging the two sides to fight against trade protectionism while the global economy is experiencing a slow recovery.

"The US action of imposing punitive tariffs is not in the interests of both countries and similar cases should not happen again," Hu told US president Barack Obama amid the UN Summit on Climate Change and other UN meetings in New York on Sept 22.

Obama said the US is supportive of free trade and is continuously endeavoring to deepen the bilateral trade and economic relationship.

"The US side is willing to solve bilateral trade and economic disputes through dialogue and negotiation," Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Ma Zhaoxu quoted Obama as saying at a brief after the Sino-US meeting.

Related readings:  China outstrips US as Japan's No.1 trade partner  Chinese, US trade unions seek closer ties  US-China trade ties deepen amid challenges  Major trade test ahead for Obama with China tire ban

Obama made a decision this month to impose punitive tariffs on tires imported from China, which has triggered concerns about the rise of protectionism in the lead-up to the Pittsburgh G20 meeting this Thursday and Friday. He ordered raising tariffs for three years on Chinese tires—by 35 percent in the first year, 30 percent in the second and 25 percent in the third.

Hu said the Sino-US relationship has been generally in good shape despite the tariffs and the two countries are trying to fulfill the consensuses the two leaders reached when they met in London at the April G20 leaders' summit.

"I hope both countries deepen cooperation and properly deal with sensitive issues," said Hu.

Hu said he hopes the US side can understand and support China's stances and positions on the Taiwan Question, the Tibetan issue and the Xinjiang riot.

"All of them are all Chinese people's concerns and interests and I hope the US side can understand and support our decisions," said Hu.

A sound Sino-US relationship not only benefits both countries but also contributes to regional and global peace and prosperity, Hu added.

Obama vowed that the US will insist on a one-China policy and support China's actions to protect sovereignty and territory union.

The US president also said he is looking forward to his visit to China in November, which is expected to accelerate Sino-US cooperation and deepen understanding.

"I think our relationship is dynamic and through bilateral, regional and international cooperation, our relationship can be boosted to a new level," Obama said.

The relationship between the two sides will undergo healthier progress through high-level mutual visits, personnel exchange and trade and economic cooperation at various levels, Hu noted.