Energizing Trade Talks Energy Agreements With China Boost Negotiations On Copyright Violations

Unimpeded by contentious talks on Chinese copyright and patent piracy, a team of U.S. energy executives led by Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary signed $2 billion in contracts for Chinese business Monday.

The 50-member delegation signed eight energy cooperation agreements in Shanghai and later came to Beijing, Xinhua News Agency reported.

It did not provide details about the agreements, and U.S. officials were not available for comment.

The talks on patents and copyrights, intended to convince China to crack down on rampant copying of American movies, music and other products, are to continue Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy said.

Unless the Chinese agree by Feb. 26 to step up enforcement, the United States says it will impose tariffs on $1 billion in Chinese imports.

China says it will retaliate with sanctions of its own.

Talks Monday covered copyright verification, software piracy and customs controls, according to an embassy statement.”Although the two sides continued to narrow their differences, several outstanding issues remain to be resolved,” it said.

On Wednesday, the negotiations will be conducted with higherranking officials - Charlene Barshefsky, chief deputy to U.S. trade representative Mickey Kantor, and Vice Trade Minister Sun Zhenyu.

A White House spokesman said that was a positive sign.

“Mr. Kantor indicated it was a positive development … although there are no indications at this point that all issues outstanding in the trade area have been resolved,” said press secretary Mike McCurry.