Trade Facilitation Office
Mission Statement
American business operates best in a rules-based, transparent market.
The Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) in Beijing (86-10-85296655 ext.
502) was established by Market Access and Compliance and works with
the Office of the China Economic Area to help monitor China's
compliance with its commitments under the WTO, and to support U.S.
business in China.
The Trade Facilitation Office supports American business in
China as follows:
1. Outreach - The TFO works closely with the American business
community in China to identify current and potential market access
problems and issues as China implements its WTO obligations. We
also partner with the American Chambers of Commerce in mainland China and
Hong Kong, the US-China Business Council, industry groups, other
American business organizations and individual companies to serve U.S. companies.
2. Providing Information to American Business - China's regulatory
system has made it difficult for American companies to operate in
China using business models that have proved successful elsewhere.
The terms of China's accession to the WTO addressed many of the
problems in China's regulatory system, and should facilitate American
companies' doing business in China. The TFO provides information
to American companies as to what China's WTO accession means for
their operations in China or exports to China, helping the United States enjoy
the benefits of its negotiations.
3. Serving as an Advocate for American Business - On behalf of
the American business community, we work to ensure that broad WTO
compliance issues and specific WTO-related problems American industries
encounter in China are raised with the Chinese authorities. We also
work with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and State Department Foreign Service
Officers in China who have relevant industry expertise, and with
U.S. trade and WTO specialists in Washington, to address issues before
they become problems. Further, we serve as advocates for industries
affected by non-compliance or incomplete compliance.
4. Capacity Building - The Commerce Department conducts numerous
seminars in China to inform Chinese officials of China's WTO obligations
and to familiarize Chinese business with international business
practice and standards. Our office coordinates this training and
liaises with other U.S. government agencies in China that provide
training. We also spearhead a series of programs on legal processes,
directed towards helping China develop institutions that facilitate
commerce.
5. Feedback to Washington - The TFO provides feedback to Washington
on China's WTO compliance, identifying both problem areas and success stories.
We also advise Washington of information we obtain through our outreach
efforts in the American business community in China, and ensure
a flow of information on changes in China's legislation relating
to foreign trade and investment as required by the terms of its accession to the WTO.
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