DOORKNOCK MESSAGES

During our meetings, we will focus on how the U.S. government can work together with the American business community to enhance U.S. competitiveness in China.

As the U.S. emerges from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, increasing American exports has been identified as critical to sustained economic growth and job creation in the U.S.

China is the fastest growing market for American exports ranking third behind only Canada and Mexico.  Since 2000, U.S. exports to China have increased by more than 300%.

But China’s growth as a domestic market has only just begun – rising domestic consumption pushed up China’s imports by more than 50% in the first half of 2010. Enhancing U.S. export competitiveness and ensuring full access to the China market will be vital not only to the health of American companies but to ensuring sustained economic growth and job creation in the U.S. 

In the first quarter of 2010, U.S. goods exports to China experienced exceptional growth – 46% year-over-year, compared to 20% to the rest of the world. However, over the same period, South Korea’s exports to China grew 60%, Germany’s grew 58%, Japan’s 56% and the EU-27 nations grew 48%.

Increasing U.S. export promotion while at the same time pressing China for full market access will help American companies compete in the world’s fastest growing market and support thousands of high-paying jobs at home.

We will focus on two key “asks”: 

1. Support robust bilateral and multilateral engagement with China on issues that most directly impact U.S. companies including market access, China’s accession to the GPA, IPR enforcement and protection, and China’s innovation policies.
2. Support domestic economic policies like the National Export Initiative (NEI) to increase U.S. exports globally and support specific, targeted actions to enhance U.S. export competitiveness in China.