US-China

Washington and Beijing began formal negotiations towards a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in June 2008. A year later, the highly sensitive talks were halted until July 2013. The US is interested in getting Chinese restrictions on foreign ownership in about 100 sectors -- from soybean oil and automobiles to life insurance and other financial services -- lifted for US companies which want to expand their market presence there. The Chinese government is interested in getting more security for highly-scrutinised Chinese investments in the US and its massive holdings of US sovereign debt ($1.3 trillion).

In late 2013, China agreed to initiate talks on a possible BIT with the European Union as well.

July 2014


Phase One US-China trade deal fails in energy and beyond
The Phase One trade deal had China committing to $30 billion in energy purchases. But US energy exports to China actually shrank by 33% in Q1.
Calls rise in China to rework deal with US: sources
More hawkish voices have emerged within China on the phase one trade deal with Washington, with some calling for new negotiations and a tit-for-tat approach on spiraling trade issues.
China’s purchases of US goods will fall way short of ‘phase one’ trade deal due to the coronavirus, says think tank
"The targets were never realistic; they were just gaudy numbers meant to impress. The pandemic made the unrealistic the impossible."
China trade deal turns from key Trump asset to an albatross
Trump raised concerns of a resumption of economic hostilities with China, threatening to withdraw from the trade deal if Beijing’s purchase pledges come up short.
Trump threatens China as trade deal quietly crumbles
As Donald Trump ups the pressure on China regarding coronavirus, the hard-fought trade deal between the two countries is falling by the wayside.
Coronavirus: China yet to meet key phase one trade deal target due to Covid-19 lockdown
China was due to release intellectual property action plan 30 working days after phase one trade deal came into force on February 15.
USDA, USTR cite progress on farm provisions of U.S.-China trade deal
The United States and China have made progress in implementing the agriculture-related provisions of a Phase 1 trade deal that took effect on Feb. 14, the USDA and USTR said.
China proposes standards on hormone residues in beef after US trade deal
China has drawn up food safety standards on residue limits of growth hormones in beef, a move seen as a further step towards opening up its market to American imports of the meat.
US shows China patience on purchases if trade gap doesn’t grow
The US is willing to show China some flexibility on its pledges to boost American imports as long as Beijing ensures exports don’t surge when production returns to full strength.
Coronavirus: China ‘fully expected’ to meet trade deal terms despite Covid-19 outbreak, top US officials say
US trade representative and Agriculture Secretary signed a letter praising China’s progress on trade deal. They did not mention coronavirus outbreak but said China ‘fully expected’ to meet terms.