VZCZCXRO3202
PP RUEHAG RUEHAP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHGI
RUEHHM RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHNH RUEHPA RUEHPB RUEHRN RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #1113 0850029
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 250029Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6024
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNWTO/WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION COLLECTIVE
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHXQ/ALL EUROPEAN UNION POST COLLECTIVE
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS BEIJING 001113
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM, EBB/TPP/MTA/RHEE AND SCHEIBE
STATE PASS USTR
NORTON/WEISS/STRATFORD/WINTER/MAIN
USDOC FOR BRZYTWA
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTRO ECON CH
SUBJECT: CHINA SUPPORTIVE OF TAFT GOODS PROPOSAL
REF: A) BEIJING 00548 B) STATE 12905
(U) THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.
PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
OUTSIDE USG CHANNELS.
1. (SBU) In a March 18 meeting between Assistant
United States Trade Representative Tim Stratford and
Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) WTO Director General
Zhang Xiangchen, DG Zhang referenced the February 15
meeting with Econ Minister Counselor Robert Luke and
EU Counselor for Trade and Investment Olivier Micol on
the United States/EU labeling for textile, apparel,
footwear, and travel (TAFT) goods proposal before the
WTO (Ref A). DG Zhang said that, following the
February 15 meeting, he had internal discussions with
the relevant Chinese line ministries. Based on those
discussions, Zhang reported that China is inclined to
co-sponsor the United States/EU proposal as long as a
few specific concerns can be addressed. Zhang said
that Chinese negotiators in Geneva would be contacting
United States and EU delegations in Switzerland to
discuss those concerns.
RANDT