US and China officials at signing of trading act
(17 Jun 2008) SHOTLIST 1. US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez (right) with US Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue (left) and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan 2. Pan from Gutierrez to Wang, pull back 3. Cutaway of media 4. Mid of Gutierrez and Wang shaking hands 5. Pan from other members of China's delegation to Donohue, Wang and Gutierrez 6. Wide of Donohue at podium 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Donohue, President of the US Chamber of Commerce: "The agreements that will be signed here today will help position the US exports to China as a rapidly growing part of our economy and will support jobs and economic growth here at home. However, they're not a substitute for the important discussions that will take place at the SED (Strategic Economic Dialogue) over the next two days. Those discussions will focus on opportunities to build long term cooperation on shared challenges of energy and the environment, human talent, microeconomic challenges, and on a short term concerns of our bilateral relationships." 8. Wide of Donohue, Wang Qishan, China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming, and other U.S. and Chinese officials standing at front of room, zoom in 9. Cutaway of cameraman 10. Mid of US business and Chinese officials signing agreements 11. Wide shot of Donohue, Wang, Chen and others applauding after the signing ceremony STORYLINE On the eve of high-level economic talks between the United States and China, the Chinese government signed a number of business agreements on Monday, with major US companies, underscoring China's rising economic influence. The more than 30 agreements covered a wide range of companies, including business icons from General Motors and Ford Motor Company to Cisco Systems, IBM and Motorola Inc. The signing was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Commerce Minister Chen Deming and the US Chamber of commerce President Tom Donohue. "The agreements that will be signed here today will help position the US exports to China as a rapidly growing part of our economy and will support jobs and economic growth here at home,'' said Donohue. No breakdown was provided on specifics of the agreements, although chamber officials estimated the deals could result in (b) billions of dollars in trade and investment for US based firms. The Chinese have led similar buying missions to the United States before other high-level trade meetings. The countries are scheduled to hold two days of talks, beginning on Tuesday, in nearby Annapolis. It will be the fourth round of the Strategic Economic Dialogue, which was launched two years ago. "Those discussions will focus on opportunities to build long term cooperation on shared challenges of energy and the environment, human talent, microeconomic challenges, and on a short term concerns of our bilateral relationships" said Donohue. The Bush administration has previously used the talks to press China to move faster to allow its currency to rise in value against the dollar. American manufacturers contend that China's undervalued currency is a major reason America's trade deficit with China has soared, hitting 256 (b) billion US dollars last year. But it is not expected that the United States will win any big breakthroughs on currency or other issues at this week's talks, in part because the Chinese may prefer to hold back and negotiate with a new administration next year. The Bush administration has also approached the discussions mindful that they were taking place in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in China. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
