The China action, a statement from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Treasury Department said the allegations raised by China represent and effort to "pursue a blame game misrepresenting the nature and history of trade negotiations between the two countries." The statement outlined the actions that led up to recent negotiations, noting that after "months hard work and candid and constructive discussions, the parties had reached agreement on a number of important matters," the statement said. "In wrapping up the final important issues, however, the Chinese moved away from previously agreed-upon provisions."
The statement pointed out that the negotiations were prompted in part by "China’s long history of unfair trade practices." The U.S. negotiating positions during the months of talks has been "consistent," with China being the party who "back-pedaled on important elements of what the parties had agreed to," the statement said, with a key one being "the need for enforceability, a position necessitated by China’s history of making commitments that it fails to keep."
The U.S. insisting on "detailed and enforceable commitments from the Chinese in no way constitutes a threat to Chinese sovereignty," the statement said. "Rather, the issues discussed are common to trade agreements and are necessary to address the systemic issues that have contributed to persistent and unsustainable trade deficits."
China has again responded to the U.S. comments, with the Commerce Ministry saying that it is "common" for there to be revisions and suggestions during trade negotiations and are insisting that "dialogue and negotiations" be used to resolve frictions and differences between the two sides.