From the New York Times:
For a long time, the Bush administration has talked ” and talked and talked ” to China about economic issues. But since the end of last year it has also filed legal challenges over Chinese tariffs on auto parts, export subsidies and counterfeiting of videos and DVDs, and it is weighing possible punitive duties on a range of goods.
The Chinese charge that the administration’s actions are aimed at placating Congress and that they violate the spirit of the discourse they agreed to join at the behest of Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. last summer. They also express concerns that the administration may be using food safety as a weapon with which to beat them up.
But Mr. Paulson and other administration officials say the recent spate of tough actions, including those on food and product safety, reflect a maturing of economic ties. [Full text]
See also a report on Paulson’s recent trip to China from the Financial Times.
