The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) hosted a U.S. visit of Chinese officials to discuss trade issues of importance to AEM member-manufacturers. The delegation was comprised of representatives of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), a key government agency that makes recommendations on trade policy in China, as well as officials from China's newly formed Ministry of Commerce and other government agencies.
While in the U.S., the delegation met with AEM staff to continue discussions on trade issues. These talks were initiated by AEM in China over two years ago.
The delegation also visited AEM's International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) and met with association members to obtain their views on the future of commercial policy and potential interaction between the U.S. and China.
In addition, while the delegation was at ICUEE, AEM and CCCME signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to cooperate in the future on trade issues for the benefit of customers and manufacturers in both nations.
"Developing a closer relationship with CCCME provides a direct communication channel between the association and China's trade policy makers," noted AEM's Al Cervero.
Among the issues that AEM discussed with the CCCME delegation were:
* China's equipment import laws;
* Used equipment regulations;
* Restrictions on foreign investment in equipment rental companies;
* Off-road equipment licensing issues;
* Tariff topics; and
* AEM's future standards involvement.
