Cui Tiankai: Protectionism impedes relationship of China-US
By Karina Huber
["china"]
The China General Chamber of Commerce – the largest non-profit organization representing Chinese companies in the US, hosted their annual Lunar New Year gala in New York on Jan. 17. The event highlights the importance of business ties between the world’s two largest economies at a time when many are worried about protectionism from US President Donald Trump. 
Cui Tiankai, China’s Ambassador to the US, was one of the evening’s keynote speakers, saying that the belief that protectionism will bring economic security is as false as the belief that nuclear weapons will bring better security for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"Protectionist measures under political and national security excuses will only lead to distortions in the market, missed economic opportunities and a weakening of one’s own competitiveness. So we have to reject such a trend,” he said.
China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC)—the largest nonprofit organization representing Chinese enterprises in the United States—hosted CGCC Chinese Lunar New Year in New York on Jan. 17, 2018. /CGTN Photo‍

China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC)—the largest nonprofit organization representing Chinese enterprises in the United States—hosted CGCC Chinese Lunar New Year in New York on Jan. 17, 2018. /CGTN Photo‍

Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said there is a knowledge gap between the United States and China. There is also a trust gap between the US and China. He acknowledged there are legitimate complaints on both sides and the two won't always agree on issues.
"These grievances are serious and some may well be real. The question is how these grievances can be addressed so that the trade and the broader economic relationship, as well as the broader US-China relationship, can continue to advance," he said.
Tung added that if it doesn’t, the concern is that these grievances will escalate to a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.
Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks at ‍the gala. /CGTN Photo

Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks at ‍the gala. /CGTN Photo

Throughout his presidential campaign Donald Trump vowed to be tough on trade but he hasn’t implemented any tariffs or quotas on imports yet. The worry among some is that he will in 2018.
Several US investigations into trade practices will soon be coming to an end. Trump will be receiving assessments on the impact of steel and aluminum imports on national security.
On Jan. 26, the US faces a deadline on whether or not to impose trade barriers to protect US solar panel manufacturers.
Stephen Schwarzman, the head of global investment firm Blackstone Group, won the award for Goodwill Ambassador for China-US exchange. He said the world is safer if the two countries have a strong relationship built on mutual respect.
"It’s my firm belief is that the relationship between the US, and China will define the 21st Century. For future leaders China isn’t an elective course. It’s core curriculum,” he noted.
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