China Takes Actions To Protect U.S. Copyright Goods
Ray Van Eng (06/17/96)
It seems that the tension between two of the world's largest trading countries,
the U.S. and China, may be easing. China agreed to crack down on copyright
private firms that are churning out illegal copies of films, music and
computer software.
The U.S. had wanted China to follow through with a 1995 accord in which copyright products would be respected and counterfeit goods would be deemed illegal and enforced by law. It appears that China is showing signs that they are willing to comply.
China is taking strong actions in response to U.S. requests by employing police to shut down a number of copyright privacy plants and stepping up the efforts to control the export of counterfeit goods.
The copyright issue is seen by many as a major cause to the threatened trade sanctions fired between the two countries. Lately, China has also been playing its cards coyly by engaging in serious trade talks with European and Asian nations and even Canada, countries which China termed as much less vociferous about matters other than trade when compared to the U.S.
A source close to today's agreement is satisfied with the recent development, saying "This is the best we could have expected and when you look at the clock in China it's about right".
Back in the U.S., there are mixed views.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) is applauding the U.S. trade negotiating team headed by Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky in reaching an important agreement with China.
NRF President Tracy Mullin points out that "this agreement means that millions of low and middle income families will continue to benefit from the high quality, affordable clothes and consumer electronics that China provides."
Mullin also said that the Congress should move quickly ahead with President Clinton's request in extending the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to China.
The NRF is an International organization with members in all 50 states in the U.S. and 50 other nations. It represents over 1.4 million U.S. retail merchants that employs more than 20 million people and has an annual sales volume of $2.3 trillion.
Meanwhile, another group, the American Textile Manufacturers Institute (ATMI) continues its accusation of China's alledged illegal trade practices in shipping textile products through other countries to avoid the U.S. quota. The ATMI is urging the Clinton administration to get tough with such actions from China.
The ATMI is the largest domestic textile trade association in the U.S.
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