Office of China Economic Area (OCEA)

International Trade Specialists at the Department of Commerce’s OCEA work closely with companies to address and eliminate barriers to trade. A company may experience a market access barrier when local policies and regulations make it difficult for that company to enter a certain foreign market. Since China’s accession to the WTO in December of 2001, OCEA has helped hundreds of companies, from large to small, break down market access barriers and do business in China. Regulatory and policy related barriers are among the most significant reasons why companies may fail or are halted in carrying out business operations in China. Compliance problems include less favorable treatment for foreign goods and services, intellectual property infringement, standards barriers, and obstacles to procuring licenses and contracts, among a host of others. Our specialists work with U.S. companies and Chinese government officials to promote commercial opportunities for U.S. companies that seek to do business in China.

OCEA staff cover China including Hong Kong, Macau, and Mongolia. The office staff has increased three-fold since 2002 and includes eleven Desk Officers who cover sector-related and functional issues such as intellectual property rights and standards in China. The office monitors China’s compliance with its WTO agreements, coordinates the annual U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade dialogue between the Department of Commerce, The Office of the United States Trade Representative and China’s Ministry of Commerce, provides one-on-one business development counseling for U.S. companies involved in commercial disputes or facing trade barriers in China, sponsors and conducts WTO-related capacity building training in China, and coordinates outreach seminars for small businesses throughout the United States. OCEA staff also meet regularly with Chinese delegations in Washington, DC, and advise and brief senior Commerce Department officials on issues of concern to the U.S. business community. You can reach OCEA at 202-482-5527, or via email at macoap-ocea@ita.doc.gov.

How to find a specialist:

Our Specialists cover a wide range of policy issues. To email us a question, simply click on the appropriate topic:

Automotive	Aviation	Basic Materials	China's Political Economy	Construction	Consumer Goods
Customs	Distribution and Trading Rights	Energy	Environmental Technologies	Express Delivery	Financial Services
Government Procurement	Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals	High-Tech Industries	Hong Kong & Macao	Information Technology	Innovation
Intellectual Property Protection	Logistics	Maritime	Mongolia	Outreach	Professional Services
Rule of Law	SOE Reform	Standards	Subsidies	Textiles	Trade Statistics
Travel and Tourism