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China Jittery About Obama Amid Signs of Harder Line
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| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Edited | ArmyDem Jan 25, 2009 06:15pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - New York Times |
| News Date | Sunday, January 25, 2009 12:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | By MARK LANDLER
Published: January 24, 2009
WASHINGTON — Whether it was a shot across the bow or a simple restatement of his boss’s views, Timothy F. Geithner’s assertion that China “manipulates” its currency has complicated a crucial front in President Obama’s efforts to improve America’s relations with the world.
China experts here said there were several other signs that the Obama administration could take a harder line toward Beijing, including Mr. Obama’s emphasis on climate change and the environment in trade negotiations and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s focus on human rights.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded tartly to the charge by Mr. Geithner, Mr. Obama’s nominee for Treasury secretary. Su Ning, vice governor of the nation’s central bank, said the remarks could “sidetrack” efforts to find the real cause and solution to the financial crisis and could revive trade protectionism. A statement from the Ministry of Commerce denied that China had ever used so-called manipulation to gain a foreign trade advantage.
China starts off on weaker footing with Mr. Obama than it did with his predecessor, George W. Bush. Mr. Bush and his last Treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., cultivated Chinese leaders and refused to call Beijing a manipulator. Mr. Obama has little personal experience of China, and lacks senior advisers with a deep interest in or knowledge of the country. With the American economy in a deep slump, and China trying to ramp up its exports to cushion a sharp slowdown there, experts worry that trade relations between the countries could deteriorate. |
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