中美商会-第一阶段贸易协议：中美商会成员调查（英文）4页_586kb

Phase One Trade Agreement Summary

Core Content

The Phase One Trade Agreement between the United States and China, signed on January 15, 2020, by President Donald Trump and Vice Premier Liu He, marked a significant step in resolving the ongoing trade tensions that had escalated over nearly two years through a series of Section 301 actions. The agreement outlines commitments on intellectual property (IP) protection, financial services liberalization, and structural reforms aimed at expanding trade flows and improving the commercial environment between the two nations.

Main Views of USCBC Members

USCBC members were asked about their views on the agreement shortly after its release. The results indicated:

• 78% of respondents viewed the agreement as positive for the commercial environment and bilateral relations.
  • The primary reasons cited included:
    • Stopping further tariff escalation and moving the relationship toward a more sustainable trajectory.
    • Resolving specific market challenges faced by their companies.
    • Creating a more certain business environment and improving customer trust in product reliability.
• 10% had a neutral view.
  • Concerns included:
    • Uncertainty about full implementation of commitments in China.
    • Tariffs on Lists 1-3 remaining in place, which was a disappointment.
• 12% had a negative or somewhat negative view.
  • Concerns included:
    • The agreement not offering a long-term solution to US-China tensions.
    • Failure to address specific issues companies face in the China market.

Section 301 Actions

The Section 301 actions initiated in 2018 led to tariffs on over $350 billion of Chinese imports. The survey revealed:

• Only less than 20% of respondents believed the benefits of Section 301 actions outweighed the costs.
• 30% thought the costs outweighed the benefits.
• Over 50% said it was too early to tell.
• While the Phase One agreement provided a temporary reprieve, many members felt that "phase two" negotiations were still necessary to address deeper structural issues.

Direct Impacts on Companies

• 60% of respondents indicated that they would be directly impacted by the commitments in the Phase One agreement.
• The most relevant components to companies were:
  • Expanding trade.
  • Intellectual property rights protection.
  • Technology transfer commitments.
• Some companies also noted that the reduction in List 4a tariffs and the expansion of business opportunities were significant impacts.

Dispute Resolution Mechanism

The agreement introduced a new bilateral dispute resolution system, which was viewed with mixed responses:

• 20% of respondents believed their company would use the mechanism if a non-compliance issue arose.
  • Most would use it through a trade association or anonymously with the US government.
• 30% were unlikely or very unlikely to use the mechanism.
• Nearly half were unsure about its utilization.
• The mechanism's effectiveness depends on publicly announced commitments, such as the IP action plan and regulations with public comment periods, which do not require company-specific information for monitoring and enforcement.

Key Takeaways

• The Phase One agreement is seen as a positive step in stabilizing the US-China trade relationship.
• However, there are concerns about its long-term efficacy and implementation.
• The dispute resolution mechanism is not widely expected to be utilized directly by companies.
• Section 301 actions remain a controversial topic, with many members still unsure of their net impact.

This summary highlights the diverse opinions of the US business community regarding the Phase One agreement and underscores the need for continued engagement and monitoring of its implementation.