A surplus of good will
EVERETT, Wash. — Chinese President Hu Jintao called Wednesday for fewer trade barriers and closer ties between his country and the United States, while defending much-criticized policies on trade, currency and energy.
The meaty speech followed a warm welcome at Boeing Co., where Hu sought to soothe tensions over the U.S.-China trade deficit, telling workers his country would need thousands of new airplanes in the coming years.
Speaking to an audience of Washington state business and political leaders including Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, Hu said his country does not seek a big trade surplus with the U.S. Among other things, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to crack down on software piracy, which should increase Microsoft’s sales in China.
“Strong business ties meet the fundamental interests of our two countries and peoples and will continue to play an important role in stabilizing our relations,” Hu said through a translator. He flew to Washington D.C. shortly after the speech.
China’s rapid growth and development will increase demand for American products and expertise in areas such as technology, Hu said, and “I hope the American businesses will seize the opportunities.”
The comments came just ahead of a summit with President Bush, where the two sides plan to tackle thorny issues including trade.
Visiting Boeing’s widebody jet assembly plant here earlier, he called his country’s long-running relationship with Boeing an example of the potential of China-U.S. trade.
“Boeing’s cooperation with China is a living example of the mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win outcome that China and the United States have achieved from trade with each other,” Hu said.
He estimated that demand for new aircraft in China will reach 2,000 planes in the next 15 years.
“This clearly points to a bright tomorrow for future cooperation between Boeing and China,” he said.
Hu’s speech at the company’s massive Everett plant came just days after Chinese officials confirmed a commitment to order 80 Boeing 737 jets, in a deal valued at $5.2 billion at list prices. The order has yet to be finalized, and airlines typically negotiate discounts.
The Boeing deal is one of several purchases the Chinese have announced recently as officials try to ease tensions over the massive trade gap between the U.S. and China.
Hu’s meeting today with Bush will cover a broad agenda, from China’s much-criticized currency and other trade policies, to its aggressive search for oil and its positions on the developing nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.