China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue

Mr. Clifton-Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue on trade between (a) the EU and (b) the UK and (i) the US and (ii) China.

Mr. McCartney
The first US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue was held in Beijing on 14 and 15 December 2006. The dialogue redefined the bilateral economic relationship to reflect the 21st century global economy and move beyond bilateral disagreements over the currency, intellectual property protection and barriers to trade.

The dialogue focused on five key areas: urban/rural imbalances in China; macro-economic issues including promoting balanced and strong growth and China’s exchange rate reform; sustainable development through energy security; trade and investment; and environmental protection. There is scope for EU, UK through the EU where appropriate and US to work more closely together with China on these issues.