The Bush administration on Tuesday pressed China to address trade tensions between it and the United States, which have been intensified by the U.S. record $202 billion trade deficit with Beijing. U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman began high-level talks with a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Wu Yi. The administration is looking for a commitment from the Chinese to crack down on the piracy of U.S. computer software and other copyrighted products, to open up its market to U.S. products, and to provide more access to U.S. service companies. The discussions, taking place at the annual meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade will foreshadow talks next week between President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao.
