The Washington State China Relations Council and its partners recently prepared a document for federal, state and local officials, outlining policies that these organizations endorse with the intent to improve the competitiveness of Washington businesses in their dealings with China.
As the Biden Administration formulates its China Policy, Washington businesses hope for a reset in the U.S.-China relationship that enables vigorous, fair economic competition and trade while honestly raising and addressing challenges. As the most trade dependent state in the union, many Washington businesses have ideas on how China policy should be shaped in the future. This document has been prepared to assist elected and government officials to understand the positions of major trade associations in our state. The Washington State China Relations Council solicited the perspectives and concerns of these associations on how the current state of U.S.-China relations impacts their members. The Council also asked these organizations what policies they would like to see implemented by the current administration and our local legislature to improve business operations and opportunities for their member companies and constituents. A summary memo consolidating the viewpoints of some members of these organizations is presented in the report.
Key policy recommendations are:
1. Create a more level playing field by eliminating non-tariff and regulatory trade barriers.
2. Create a stable, competitive trading environment through reviewing and eliminating tariffs.
3. Strengthen intellectual property and cybersecurity protections and enforcement.
4. Expand U.S. visa availability and increase predictability in the U.S. visa process.
5. Strengthen domestic Infrastructure and investment—at both the federal and state levels—to improve Washington State’s global competitiveness.
6. Advance environmental sustainability and human rights as priorities in the bilateral relationship in a manner that maintains global economic stability.
7. Seek constructive new areas for collaboration and cooperation with China, including on climate change, global health, and other common challenges.
8. Facilitate constructive sub-national relations with China.
The WSCRC would like to thank our partner organizations, CleanTech Alliance, the Northwest Horticultural Council, Visit Seattle, and the Washington Technology Industry Association, for providing their valuable inputs. Individual memos from each participating association are included in the report’s appendix.