China's biotech regs trouble U.S. officials

In early February, a team of officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the State Department met with members of China’s Agriculture and Trade Ministries to urge them to clarify the country’s new implementing regulations lest trade be disrupted. In a joint statement, U.S. officials said China has not presented any science to support the regulations. They warned that the regulations could result in a halt in exports of farm products, which they called “an unacceptable situation.” The U.S. team urged China to “allow for procedures that will enable a smooth transition during implementation of the regulations so as to avoid trade disruptions.”