VZCZCXRO0224
PP RUEHCN RUEHVC
DE RUEHGH #0399/01 2640824
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 210824Z SEP 09
FM AMCONSUL SHANGHAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8287
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHXX/GENEVA IO MISSIONS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 8939
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SHANGHAI 000399
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NSC FOR JLOI, DBELL
STATE PASS USTR FOR DMARANTIS, TREIF, TSTRATEFORD, AMAIN, JGRIER
DOC FOR IKASOFF, NMELCHER
TREASURY FOR OASIA/DOHNER/WINSHIP
GENEVA PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD EFIN PREL CH
SUBJECT: SHANGHAI WTO CENTER CALLS U.S. "IRRESPONSIBLE" FOR IMPOSING
TIRE IMPORT SAFEGUARDS
REF: A. SHANGHAI 397
B. BEIJING 2671
SHANGHAI 00000399 001.2 OF 002
(U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Not for
distribution outside USG channels.
1. (SBU) Summary: Meeting with the Consul General September 18,
the head of Shanghai's WTO Center labeled the U.S. decision to
impose safeguard tariffs on tire imports from China politically
motivated and "irresponsible" in the current global economic
climate but at the same time expressed understanding for the
action. He indicated China would be less willing to accept
informal U.S. assurances in any future negotiations and raised
concerns that other countries might follow the U.S. example and
apply their own protectionist measures. As a result, China, the
world's greatest beneficiary of globalization to date, could
become its biggest loser. End Summary.
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Window into Central Government Thinking?
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2. (SBU) Consul General Beatrice Camp met September 18 with
Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Center (SCC/WTO) President Mr.
Wang Xinkui to discuss Chinese reaction to the USG decision to
impose safeguard tariffs on tire imports from China. The
SCC/WTO Center, established in 2000 on the eve of China's
accession to the WTO, is a quasi-governmental think tank funded
by the Shanghai Municipal Government. The Center routinely
provides economic analysis related to trade policy to municipal
and central government agencies. Wang also serves as a member of
the Financial and Economic Committee of the Shanghai Municipal
People's Congress.
3. (U) Wang Xinkui visited the United States as a State
Department-sponsored Voluntary Visitor in 2001 and again in 2008
as part of a delegation that met with the U.S. Departments of
Commerce, Agriculture, and Treasury, as well as the
International Trade Commission. During the course of the
meeting, upon highlighting the utility of his previous visits to
the United States, Wang introduced another colleague set to lead
a delegation to New York and Washington, DC in October.
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"A Political Decision"
----------------------
4. (SBU) Wang observed that, given the backdrop of the global
financial crisis, China was bracing itself for rising levels of
global protectionism, particularly involving the United States.
Wang claimed that he understood the political climate in the
U.S. giving rise to the safeguards decision, and expressed
sympathy for President Obama, stating that the President had
little room to maneuver politically and had to be seen as doing
something on the case. Nevertheless, Wang argued that the U.S.
International Trade Commission (ITC) lacked fixed standards for
calculating industrial injury in safeguards cases and the "421"
decision ultimately had not been based on economic analysis but
rather on a political calculus.
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Playing the Victim Card
-----------------------
5. (SBU) Wang provided historical context for his views by
noting that the political climate in Washington during China's
WTO accession negotiations had forced China into accepting
concessions that it now regrets, including the safeguard
provisions outlined in Sections 222 and 421 of the Trade Act.
Wang claimed former United States Trade Representative Charlene
Barshefsky had "promised that the U.S. would be very cautious in
its use of these provisions." China now feels "naove for having
taken her words seriously" and would no longer value "informal
promises" during future negotiations, Wang observed.
6. (SBU) Wang also emphasized, given the current global economic
crisis, that other countries needed "to understand the
sacrifices that China has made." He cited a 20-percent drop in
Chinese exports from January to August 2009 which has caused the
loss of one million export-related jobs. (Note: China's Ministry
of Commerce reported China's cumulative exports for the
January-August period were down 22 percent year-on-year,
SHANGHAI 00000399 002.2 OF 002
although seasonally-adjusted monthly data has shown steady
improvement over the past few months. End Note.) In spite of the
economic downturn, Wang argued, China had not devalued its
currency or resorted to protectionist measures. Moreover, China
had spent RMB 4 trillion in stimulus funds to spur growth and
contribute to the global economy, he added. For the United
States to impose a safeguards measure amidst the current
economic climate was, in Wang's words, "irresponsible."
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"China Showing Restraint" in Reaction to U.S. Decision
--------------------------------------------- ---------
7. (SBU) Since the announcement of the 421 decision September
11, Wang said that China has exhibited tremendous restraint. He
claimed that domestic media reporting on the decision had not
been sensationalistic and that the Chinese Government had
stressed repeatedly that the matter should be resolved through
"the WTO framework." (Note: The case was featured heavily on the
front pages of all major Chinese and English language
newspapers. China has also signaled that it will file a case on
U.S. chicken exports. For additional detail, see reftel B. End
Note.)
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Globalized World, Globalized Challenges
---------------------------------------
8. (SBU) Wang noted that the global financial crisis had forced
China to reassess globalization, and that the current global
economic framework needed to be "re-adjusted." Wang stated China
has been among the world's largest beneficiaries from
globalization but stands to be one of the biggest losers, as
does the United States, should trade protectionism increase.
Citing the example of U.S. synthetic rubber manufacturers, who
export to Chinese tire makers, as being likely unintended
victims of the safeguards decision, Wang noted that a trade war
between China and the United States would also have a
significant impact on the global economy. He ironically
expressed hope that the decision may lead to one positive
outcome -- politicians may come to realize that "domestic
politics can't be their first priority" and that they must also
consider our "increasing global interdependence."
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Follow the Leader
-----------------
9. (SBU) Wang expressed concern that the difficult economic
climate may compel other countries to follow the U.S.'s lead and
implement their own safeguard measures, adding that the value of
Chinese tire exports to the United States comprise merely 0.06
percent of total Chinese exports.
10. (SBU) The Consul General noted that the USG shares China's
concerns over growing protectionism but that the USG views the
421 remedy as enforcement of trade laws rather than
protectionism. She also agreed that this matter should be
resolved within the WTO framework and expressed optimism that
the core of the bilateral relationship remains solid despite
occasional trade frictions.
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Comment
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11. (SBU) During his discussion with the Consul General, Wang
held closely to the popular victimization narrative
characterizing public discourse in China concerning the U.S.
safeguards decision. Nevertheless Wang's comments were delivered
with an air of regret, not of anger, and he clearly hoped to
maintain the Center's substantial interaction with the USG.
CAMP