U.S., China Square Up Over Trade Disputes

(Alibaba.com – Kang Juan)

Tensions over trade frictions between China and the U.S. heightened Wednesday with U.S. trade authorities criticizing Beijing for imposing more trade restrictions in 2009, following confrontations over China's restrictions on the distribution of U.S. films, music and books and the U.S.' imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese oil-well pipes.

Economic scholars observed that trade conflicts are a global issue rather than friction between China and the U.S. against the background of a slow economic recovery.

"China continued to pursue industrial policies in 2009 that seek to limit market access for non-Chinese origin goods and foreign-service suppliers," the U.S. Trade Representative's office said in its eighth annual report on how well China is complying with its World Trade Organization obligations.

The use of trade restraints and preferences, including export restraints, tax rebates, unique standards and the so-called "Buy China" policy, has been increasing during the past two years, the 121-page report said. Read more here.