US trade demands could take China years to achieve, says Beijing’s ambassador to Washington

Editors note: Beware slow walking. Trade Ambassador Lighthizer knows this risk. 

Cui Tiankai says aspects requiring legislation could take ‘five to 10 years’, although some requested measures tally with Beijing’s own plans. Ambassador sees US action against Huawei as separate issue to trade talks but calls pursuit of the Chinese company ‘stupid’ and ‘absurd’

[Owen Churchill  Wendy Wu  | February 28, 2019 | South China Morning Post]

Structural reforms to China’s economic and trade policies being pushed by the United States could take years to enact, Beijing’s ambassador to Washington said on Wednesday.

Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador to the US, also hit out at the US government’s criminal action against Chinese telecoms company Huawei, calling it “very stupid” and “absurd”.

Discussing recent trade negotiations, Cui told the South China Morning Post that while certain commitments such as purchases of US goods could be realized in a short time frame, other reforms that would have to go through China’s legislative process could take anywhere from “five to 10 years” to accomplish.

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