US still hopes for global tech deal after China stalled talks
Officials are counting on Beijing to back down from demand for selected technology products to be excluded from talks on tariffs-free accord
Advocates for a global deal to remove tariffs on a range of information and communications technology products hope that Beijing will return to the negotiating table with a more conciliatory approach, following the breakdown of talks in Geneva because of its demands.
The United States and dozens of other countries have put the blame squarely on China for setting back efforts to expand the scope of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), a tariff-eliminating scheme established by a group of World Trade Organisation members in December 1996.
"The United States is extremely disappointed that it became necessary today to suspend negotiations to expand the Information Technology Agreement," Trade Representative Michael Froman said yesterday morning.
"Unfortunately, a diverse group of members participating in the negotiations determined that China's current position makes progress impossible at this stage."
Trade negotiators from around the world are in Geneva this week for what many expected to be the final round of talks to eliminate tariffs on about 260 products, which would form part of the "core list" of products covered by the ITA. This list has not been updated since 1996.
