China y USA They renewed a scientific and technological cooperation agreement for five years on Friday despite criticism from various sectors, including American Republicans, that this pact benefits Beijing.
The signing of the expanded agreement forms part of the efforts of both administrations to stabilize relations before January 20, when Donald Trump, who has promised to expand tariffs on Chinese imports, assumes the presidency of the United States.
The agreement, first signed in 1979, had been renewed every five years, even Trump did so during his first term. It only stopped expanding last year, when relations between both powers were at their lowest point.
Even so, the agreement was then extended twice for six months until the two governments sat down at the table to renegotiate the pact.
The agreement “contains new provisions” resulting from months of negotiations, a senior US administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
According to the administration official, the new text strengthens provisions on security and dispute resolution, in addition to increasing intellectual property protection measures.
The United States is restricting technology exports to China, particularly semiconductors, in an attempt to bolster its own domestic production.