A group of major US companies has urged the US Government to
scrap a proposal to tighten controls on high-tech exports to
China.
Household names such as Boeing and Microsoft are among the firms
to speak out against Washington's proposal to amend its
export-control regulations.
The companies suggested changes to the proposed regulation that
would make it "clearer, simpler and less burdensome with respect to
the national security decisions that company employees must
make."
In a letter to the US Government, the coalition of
manufacturers, software companies and high-tech industry groups
said: "Our fundamental view is the regulation should be withdrawn
and reconsidered in its entirety after thorough consultation with
exporters."
The US companies argued that, although the proposal was made in
name of national security, the proposal would not provide any
additional security benefits to the United States. They warn that
it could in fact undermine other US efforts to strengthen relations
with China.
China's Ministry of Commerce was unavailable for comment, but
senior ministry officials had earlier said the US proposal would
hamper China's high-tech imports from the United States.
Encouraging US exports to China, in particular high-tech
exports, is an effective way to tackle the growing trade imbalance
between the two countries.
Jin Bosheng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of
International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said he was glad to
hear such a call from US companies because business pressures would
also influence the US Government's final decision.
However, a US official said it was unrealistic to expect
Washington to adjust or scrap its export-control policies on
China.
Chris Padilla, assistant secretary of commerce for export
administration, was quoted by Reuters as saying the Bush
administration would try to address concerns companies have about
the regulation before it is finalized sometime early next year.
"But scrapping it is simply not in the cards because the rule
derives from very fundamental tenets of US policy," said
Padilla.
(China Daily December 5, 2006)