| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : NOVEMBER 29, 1999 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| INTERNATIONAL -- ASIAN COVER STORY
Worth the Wait? The Clinton Administration walked away from a WTO deal with China in April, holding out for better terms. Did the U.S. do better in the final agreement? TELECOM: APRIL China allows 51% foreign investment in telecom. NOVEMBER Foreign companies can own up to 49% of telecom outfits, 50% after two years. INTERNET: APRIL Not addressed. NOVEMBER Foreigners may invest in minority shares of Internet content providers. AGRICULTURE: APRIL Tariff will be cut to an average of 17% by 2004. No export subsidies. NOVEMBER Tariffs will be cut to 14.5% on average. No export subsidies. DISTRIBUTION: APRIL Distribution rights phased in over three years. NOVEMBER Same. INDUSTRIAL TARIFFS: APRIL Tariff rates reduced from 24.6% to 9.44% by 2005. Tariffs on computers, telecommunications gear cut to zero. Autos to 25% by 2005. NOVEMBER Autos to 25% by 2006. BANKING: APRIL Incomplete. 100% foreign ownership after 2005. Phases out geographic restrictions. NOVEMBER 100% foreign ownership after 2005. Geographic restrictions phased out. U.S. firms can provide auto financing. ENTERTAINMENT: APRIL 49% ownership in distribution of recordings, majority ownership for cinemas. 40 foreign films a year, 50 after two years. NOVEMBER 50% foreign participation in distribution profits for 20 films a year. TRAVEL & TOURISM: APRIL Full range of services allowed, 100% ownership of hotels after three years. NOVEMBER Same. SAFEGUARDS: APRIL Unresolved. NOVEMBER Surges in imports can be met with temporary, higher tariffs in the U.S. for 12 years. Stringent antidumping regulations meant for nonmarket economies will continue to apply for 15 years. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BACK TO TOP |
![]() RELATED ITEMS China: Open for Business (int'l edition) ASIAN COVER IMAGE: China's Opening TABLE: Worth the Wait? A Flash Flood of Japanese Goods? (int'l edition) The Deal Makes Konka's Picture Much Brighter (int'l edition) Commentary: How Beijing Can Learn from Its Neighbors' Blunders (int'l edition) Plus: Video: A WTO Deal at Last BW Asia Editor Sheri Prasso examines the agreements details INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online | |||||||