China says in touch with U.S. on signing of Phase 1 trade deal

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/china-says-in-touch-with-u-s-on-signing-of-phase-1-trade-deal-idUSKBN1YN0R4

Chinese officials have so far not publicly confirmed much of Washington’s version – especially on goods purchase commitments. But China said on Friday when the deal was announced that it will import more U.S. wheat, rice, corn, energy, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

Earlier on Thursday, China unveiled a new list of tariff exemptions for U.S. imports, mostly chemical products, days after the world’s two largest economies announced the Phase 1 deal. China said the second part of the waiver list will be released at an appropriate time.

Washington said the deal also includes stronger Chinese legal protections for patents, trademarks, copyrights, including improved criminal and civil procedures to combat online infringement, pirated and counterfeit goods.

The two countries have reached a consensus over the protection of trade secrets, guarding intellectual property rights for pharmaceutical products, and cracking down on counterfeits and pirated goods on e-commerce platforms, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said on Friday.

China will step up protection of intellectual property but at its own pace, Wang said.

David Adams

Article URL : https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/china-says-in-touch-with-u-s-on-signing-of-phase-1-trade-deal-idUSKBN1YN0R4