Ratcheting the Trade Pressure on China

The Bush Administration is raising its voice on China’s trade practices. Will it work this time?

The two nations are scheduled to meet next week in Beijing, the latest in the seemingly neverending string of talks between the countries. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson told the U.S. media today he will warn China that the world’s patience is getting thin.

Will this latest maneuver in the ongoing cat-and-mouse games finally net its prey? Or will China continue to say one thing and do another? My guess is on the latter. Beijing has little incentive to play ball. Short of harsh sanctions, the world can expect a lot of chatter … but little action.

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About Mike

Mike Buetow is president of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (pcea.net). He previously was editor-in-chief of Circuits Assembly magazine, the leading publication for electronics manufacturing, and PCD&F, the leading publication for printed circuit design and fabrication. He spent 21 years as vice president and editorial director of UP Media Group, for which he oversaw all editorial and production aspects. He has more than 30 years' experience in the electronics industry, including six years at IPC, an electronics trade association, at which he was a technical projects manager and communications director. He has also held editorial positions at SMT Magazine, community newspapers and in book publishing. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikebuetow