Pritzker urges China to loosen trade restrictions

U.S. and Chinese officials are meeting in Washington today to address commercial issues that cause friction in trade and investment.    Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker told a visiting delegation of Chinese officials on Wednesday that they need to do more to open their markets to American goods.
   The delegation, led by the vice premier responsible for trade and investment policy, was in Washington for the annual meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, which has made progress addressing commercial issues between the two countries.
   “The U.S. private sector has seen strong results from their businesses in China, but significant growing headwinds are hampering continued growth,” Pritzker said, according to a copy of her prepared remarks kicking off the meeting. “Our companies and your companies need to see China further reform, rebalance, and open your economy – including by addressing intellectual property protections, decreasing excess capacity, and advancing policies that promote an open, vibrant digital economy.”
   She expressed hope the two sides could mutually solve some of the ongoing commercial problems that exist.
   President-elect Donald Trump took a very hard line on China’s trade practices during the campaign, but whether it serves as an impetus for compromise in the talks is unclear.