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              US, China Reach Breakthrough on WTO Free Trade Deal

   by VOA News

   The U.S. and China have reached a breakthrough in talks to expand a
   World Trade Organization agreement that would eliminate tariffs on
   high-tech products.

   The deal was announced in Beijing by President Barack Obama, who meets
   Tuesday with top Chinese leaders following the conclusion of a regional
   economic summit.

   President Obama said the U.S. and China have "reached an understanding"
   that will lead to wider talks on expanding the WTO's Information
   Technology Agreement (ITA).

   Negotiations were suspended in November 2013 because of differences
   between the U.S. and China over what products should be included in the
   agreement.

   A statement by U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said that
   following the U.S.-China breakthrough, full talks are now scheduled to
   resume in December.

   The statement said medical equipment, video game consoles, computer
   software, and next generation semiconductors are among the high-tech
   products that will see tariffs eliminated.

   The ITA, which went into effect in 1997, requires signatories to
   eliminate duties on certain IT products. Many say the list of covered
   products should be expanded because of technological advancements.

   Free trade agreements have been a major focus of the Asia-Pacific
   Economic Summit that wraps up Tuesday in the Chinese capital.

   Obama is using the summit to help push the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific
   Partnership trade zone. The TPP is controversial because it excludes
   China and competes with Beijing's own plan for an Asia free trade pact.

   President Obama, who said TPP talks are progressing, on Monday hosted
   regional leaders at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing for talks on the
   12-nation trade pact.

   At an APEC gathering Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping told
   regional leaders they should "push vigorously" to advance Beijing's
   preferred free trade pact, the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, or
   FTAAP.

   Following the summit, Presidents Obama and Xi meet for dinner Tuesday.
   On Wednesday, they will hold formal talks as part of a state visit by
   Obama.

   The visit comes during a time of strained US-Sino relations on issues
   ranging from cyber espionage to human rights as well as an impression
   among Chinese leaders that the U.S., through the rebalance of its
   forces to the Pacific, is trying to contain China.

   No major breakthroughs are expected during the talks.

   On Monday, the two countries announced a new visa policy that will
   increase the validity of short-term tourist and business visas issued
   to one another's citizens from one to ten years - the longest validity
   allowed under U.S. law - and extend the validity of student and
   exchange visas from one to five years.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-china-breakthrough-on-wto-free-tra
   de-deal/2515601.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-china-breakthrough-on-wto-free-trade-deal/2515601.html