trade - Wu Yi joins US election frenzy

US media are treating the ongoing visit of state-councilor Madame Wu Yi to the US and the trade negotiations as an integral part of the ongoing campaign for the elections of the new US president. To look good president Bush needs concessions from China and everybody expects Wu Yi will - despite her tough image - give in.
"The Bush administration wants commitments that China will crack down on illegal reproduction of products like software, designer clothes and drugs, reconfigure tax and technology policies that can raise prices of American goods in China, and loosen restrictions that choke off the sale of American products to Chinese consumers," the Washington Times summarizes.
The US wants China to make the fight against piracy and counterfeits a priority. The problem is that it is already a priority for the central government, and that it does not help. Just because it is a priority, the struggle has become so messy, with three agencies being involved and many foreign players roaming around. I think the pledge to make this struggle a priority will be a very easy way out for Wu Yi.