Archive Report
Archive Report
The Developing China Trade
Common Interests But Current Wariness
Visions of a lucrative China market are once again playing on the fancy of American businessmen. Since the full restoration of U.S.-China diplomatic relations in January 1979, trade between the two countries has almost quadrupled, approaching $4 billion this year. Chinese and U.S. officials are signing trade and exchange agreements by the dozen, and events are unfolding at dizzying speed as if to compensate for the 30-year break in relations.
The honeymoon may be short-lived, however. American businessmen are discovering that doing business with China requires much time and patience while the Chinese fear that the political atmosphere may not be so congenial with Ronald Reagan in the White House. Peking has greeted Reagan's election with caution because ...