Speculation has arisen that the 'US-China Investment Committee,' agreed upon during the summit in Beijing last May, may be excluded from the agenda of the upcoming summit between the two nations next month.
Sean Stein, chairman of the US-China Economic Cooperation, a private organization focused on US-China relations, stated, "There is currently no evidence that the Investment Committee will be treated as a significant outcome at next month’s US-China summit," according to the South China Morning Post on August 13. He added, "Neither the US nor China has initiated the consultation process yet, and it appears both sides are unprepared for discussions with the private sector." Given the lack of progress on discussions related to the Investment Committee, it is possible that it will not be addressed at the upcoming summit.
During the May summit, the leaders of the US and China announced their agreement to establish both a US-China Trade Committee and a US-China Investment Committee.
While negotiations for the Trade Committee are making progress, both sides remain tight-lipped about the status of the Investment Committee. Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, remarked, "It is not surprising that the Investment Committee has not gained traction since its announcement." She explained that there is a significant divergence of views within the US government and Congress regarding the benefits and risks of direct Chinese investment in the US. "President Donald Trump welcomes investments from Chinese investors, but some in his cabinet and Congress are taking a more cautious approach," she noted.
In contrast, negotiations for the Trade Committee are accelerating. Both sides are rushing to finalize sensitive sectors and items that could allow for up to $30 billion in duty-free trade. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) collected public comments in June regarding 'sensitive items' that could be included in the Trade Committee.
Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in the US reported last month that both governments have set a 'guiding goal' to expand agricultural trade and have 'principally' agreed to include agricultural products in a framework for mutual tariff reductions.
However, Cutler pointed out that the level of diplomatic activity leading up to next month’s summit is noticeably lower than in previous summit preparations. She stated, "Bilateral contacts at all levels ahead of the September summit are much less active than during the previous administration."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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