Washington – Business Roundtable today issued the following statement regarding trade negotiations between the U.S. and China as well as this weekend’s G-7 summit in Quebec, Canada:

“We support the Administration’s efforts to engage in a constructive dialogue to help improve our strategically important relationship with China. Longstanding issues need to be addressed that currently limit the ability of U.S. companies to access this important market. While increasing exports from the U.S. to China is a good first step to begin this dialogue, the real work remains on negotiating the structural reforms that will lower barriers and level the playing field. This work will require focus, persistence, and a willingness to take targeted action if negotiations fail to drive a change in behavior.

 

“The Administration should not implement tariffs under Section 301 while there continues to be willingness by China to engage on systemic changes to their market. Imposing these tariffs will likely derail these discussions, undermine our negotiating objectives and harm U.S. businesses and workers. 

 

“It is critically important for the Administration to engage the G-7 countries and other allies constructively to assist in this effort. However, this remains difficult with the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum currently in place. The Administration should terminate these tariffs, complete negotiations for a modernized NAFTA and get to the most important business of building a strong and fair-trading relationship with China.”