Veneman Assured China Will Be WTO Compliant

July 31, 2002

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman received broad assurance from Chinese officials during her three-day visit that it will comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and trade will not be disrupted. Veneman's meetings included officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, and Science and Technology, and with the State Planning Commission and AQSIQ, the quarantine and inspection agency. She was in China following attendance at the Quint Ministers' meeting in Japan last week.

"We have had constructive meetings with a broad range of officials. We have had repeated assurances that China intends to fully meet its obligations under the WTO and that US-China trade will not be disrupted," Veneman said during the conclusion of her visit here.

During the official meetings, Veneman said she pursued three primary topics related to trade: 1) the soybean GMO regulations; 2) issuance of import licenses; and 3) use of export subsidies for corn and cotton; along with topics related to expanding contacts and cooperation in several areas including scientific research and exchanges and technical trade issues.

"We repeatedly asked for more explanations and information, greater transparency throughout the process and more timely implementation of all rules and regulations related to WTO accession," Veneman said. "We received strong assurances from all Chinese officials with whom we met that China intends to 'strictly follow' all WTO rules. We told them that we expected nothing less, but that we also stand ready to provide technical and other assistance to help with their timely compliance.

To resolve long-standing trade issues on both sides, Veneman and Agriculture Minister Du identified officials to review the science aspects of the issues with a view to their speedy resolution. Dr. Joseph Jen, agriculture undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics, will lead the review for the U.S. side.

Also, to facilitate discussions on both short and longer-term trade issues related to biotechnology regulation, Veneman and the Chinese officials discussed formation of a new working group. The U.S. side would be led by David Hegwood, special counsel on Trade for Veneman, and include other U.S. government agency representatives, including the U.S. Trade Representatives Office, along with their Chinese counterparts.

"We heard the right things about our trade concerns, and we are optimistic the Chinese will follow thorough. But, we will be continuing frequent contacts to facilitate the process wherever possible," Veneman said."