For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 9, 2001

Presidential Memo Regarding Trade and China
November 9, 2001

MEMORANDUM FOR THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

SUBJECT:            Determinations under Section 1106(a) of the Omnibus

Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 -- People's Republic

of China

Pursuant to section 1106(a) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, (19 U.S.C. 2905(a)), I determine that state trading enterprises account for a significant share of the exports of the People's Republic of China (China) and goods that compete with imports into China.  I further determine that such state trading enterprises unduly burden and restrict, or adversely affect, the foreign trade of the United States or the United States economy, or are likely to result in such a burden, restriction, or effect.

China is seeking to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The terms and conditions for China's accession to the WTO include China's commitments that it will ensure that all state-owned and state-invested enterprises will make purchases and sales based solely on commercial considera-tions, such as price, quality, marketability, and availability, and that U.S. business firms will have an adequate opportunity to compete for sales to and purchases from these enterprises on nondiscriminatory terms and conditions.  In addition, the Government of China will not influence, directly or indirectly, commercial decisions on the part of state-owned or state-invested enterprises, including on the quantity, value, or country of origin of any goods purchased or sold, except in a manner consistent with the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO Agreement).  China has also confirmed that state trading enterprises will make purchases that are not for government use.  The obligations that China will assume under the WTO Agreement, including China's protocol of accession, meet the requirements of section 1106(b)(2)(A), (19 U.S.C. 2905(b)(2)(A)), and thus my determinations under section 1106(a) do not require invocation of the nonapplication provisions of the WTO Agreement.

You are directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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