NAM Gives China Mixed Marks On WTO Compliance

ByJohn S. McClenahen In the first of what are slated to be annual reports on China's compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is giving the People's Republic mixed marks. On the positive side for NAM members, some companies say China's WTO status "is leading to significant new business opportunities," reports Bill Primosch, NAM's director of international finance and investment. On the flip side, other NAM members are concerned that local officials are not in step with national leaders on trade practices and may be discriminating against foreign firms, Primosch relates. "Broadly speaking, the lack of transparency in China's trade regulations makes it difficult to ascertain progress on implementation," he states. NAM's report was requested by Robert B. Zoellick, the U.S. Trade Representative.