House Republican Urges Obama to Tackle Slow Chinese Biotech Processing
The Chinese government continues to sluggishly approve regulatory changes to allow more U.S. biotechnology-derived crops to enter the Chinese market, and President Barack Obama should press the need for speedier approvals during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of September, said Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., a Ways and Means trade subcommittee member, in a letter that is still circulating in the House. Smith’s staff released the letter to International Trade Today.
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The letter, addressed to Obama, applauds the upcoming launch of the U.S.-China Strategic Agricultural Innovation Dialogue. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host high-ranking Chinese officials in Washington on Sept. 24 to formally open that dialogue, which is designed to explore new technology opportunities for farmers in both countries (here).
But the sluggish approvals, as well as new Chinese regulatory changes that Smith says could create more uncertainty, contradict pledges the Chinese government recently made to expedite the processing, said Smith. “We ask you to seek assurances from President Xi to implement the commitments made last year by advancing the full queue of biotechnology products, including the seven currently awaiting final import approvals,” said the letter.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the letter.