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Biden backs Trump's hardline against Beijing's Hong Kong policy
来源：Shipping News Headlines 编辑：编辑部 发布：2021/02/24 11:04:52
US President Joe Biden's administration ended hopes for a softer approach to the World Trade Organisation by pursuing predecessor's strategies critics say risk undermines the international trading system, reports Bloomberg.
"The situation with respect to Hong Kong constitutes a threat to the national security of the United States," the US delegation said. "Issues of national security are not matters appropriate for adjudication in the WTO dispute-settlement system."
The US delegation to the WTO backed the Trump administration's decision to label Hong Kong exports as "Made in China" and said the WTO had no right to mediate the matter because the organisation's rules permit countries to take any action to protect their "essential security interests."
Before 2016, WTO members steered clear of defending trade actions on the basis of national security because it encouraged protectionist policies that had little to do with hostile threats.
President Biden has also chosen a slew of China specialists for key positions in his administration, signalling a shift in resources to continue former President Donald Trump's tougher approach against Beijing, reported Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.
The appointments across departments include Asia experts and veteran advisers from the former Barack Obama administration, but reflect the deepening bipartisan consensus for a more hardline policy to compete with an increasingly aggressive China.
Sarah Kreps, a professor of government and law at Cornell University, said the new administration's team has indicated it will chart a different path in China policy, with President Biden warning of "extreme competition" compared to Obama's efforts for a strategic partnership between the countries.
"All of the signs coming out of the administration are that even if many of the individuals are the same as a decade ago, the policies will not be," she said. "The specifics are still unclear but the change in tone from the Obama administration is unambiguous," she said.
"The situation with respect to Hong Kong constitutes a threat to the national security of the United States," the US delegation said. "Issues of national security are not matters appropriate for adjudication in the WTO dispute-settlement system."
The US delegation to the WTO backed the Trump administration's decision to label Hong Kong exports as "Made in China" and said the WTO had no right to mediate the matter because the organisation's rules permit countries to take any action to protect their "essential security interests."
Before 2016, WTO members steered clear of defending trade actions on the basis of national security because it encouraged protectionist policies that had little to do with hostile threats.
President Biden has also chosen a slew of China specialists for key positions in his administration, signalling a shift in resources to continue former President Donald Trump's tougher approach against Beijing, reported Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.
The appointments across departments include Asia experts and veteran advisers from the former Barack Obama administration, but reflect the deepening bipartisan consensus for a more hardline policy to compete with an increasingly aggressive China.
Sarah Kreps, a professor of government and law at Cornell University, said the new administration's team has indicated it will chart a different path in China policy, with President Biden warning of "extreme competition" compared to Obama's efforts for a strategic partnership between the countries.
"All of the signs coming out of the administration are that even if many of the individuals are the same as a decade ago, the policies will not be," she said. "The specifics are still unclear but the change in tone from the Obama administration is unambiguous," she said.