U.S. says China losing momentum in WTO implementation

Asian Economic News, Dec 22, 2003

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 Kyodo

The United States accused China on Thursday of slackening in its efforts to fulfill the commitments it made to become a World Trade Organization (WTO) member.

In an annual report to Congress on China's WTO compliance in 2003, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said, ''Unlike last year, China's uneven and incomplete WTO compliance record can no longer be attributed to start-up problems.''

Looking back on the country's second year of membership in the Geneva-based global trade body, the report said 2003 proved to be ''a year in which China's WTO implementation efforts lost a significant amount of momentum.''

In a number of different sectors, ranging from agriculture and services to intellectual property rights, China ''fell far short of implementing its WTO commitments,'' it said.

China acceded to the WTO on Dec. 11, 2001, after 15 years of negotiation with the U.S. and other WTO members. Under the terms of its accession, China pledged to implement a set of sweeping reforms for market liberalization.

The report also said the U.S. trade deficit with China is expected to hit a record $125 billion in 2003.