How shrimp sparked US-China trade war

Last Modified: 26 Jul 2007
By: Lindsey Hilsum

Many Americans are reluctant to eat anything that comes from China.

First the US banned Chinese shrimp, and four types of fish after finding traces of chemicals which cause cancer.

Then the Chinese retaliated by seizing American imports.

Fish is only one of the products affected by this mini trade war between America and China.

Some American politicians who believe the Chinese are taking American jobs are talking up the safety issue.

But the Chinese regulatory system is open to abuse, and the government knows that now it has to do something about it.

The EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva is visiting China.

Following a trip to a toy factory, she said: "We detected quite a high figure of dangerous toys on the European markets and I would like this message to be conveyed not only at very high official levels, which I did at the beginning, but also at local levels and to the producers as well."

Chinese consumer activists say the quality of exports needs improving but standards for domestic products are even lower.

In China, there is no system to ensure transparency of information. The law enforcement departments are not supervised. They are not required to respond to consumers complaints. The results of their handling of cases are not publicised. This leaves room for government departments either not to do their job or to abuse their power.