Obama tells China the “ravages of climate change” demand cooperation 1

In a speech to head off the first meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue in Washington, D.C between the United States and China this morning, President Obama talks Chinese spending:

Going forward, we can deepen this cooperation.  We can promote financial stability through greater transparency and regulatory reform.  We can pursue trade that is free and fair, and seek to conclude an ambitious and balanced Doha Round agreement.  We can update international institutions so that growing economies like China play a greater role that matches their greater responsibility.  And as Americans save more and Chinese are able to spend more, we can put growth on a more sustainable foundation—because just as China has benefited from substantial investment and profitable exports, China can also be an enormous market for American goods.

Second, we can cooperate to advance our mutual interest in a clean, secure, and prosperous energy future.  The United States and China are the two largest consumers of energy in the world.  We are also the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world.  Let’s be frank:  Neither of us profits from a growing dependence on foreign oil, nor can we spare our people from the ravages of climate change unless we cooperate.  Common sense calls upon us to act in concert.

Both of our countries are taking steps to transform our energy economies.  Together we can chart a low carbon recovery; we can expand joint efforts at research and development to promote the clean and efficient use of energy; and we can work together to forge a global response at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and beyond.  And the best way to foster the innovation that can increase our security and prosperity is to keep our markets open to new ideas, new exchanges, and new sources of energy.

 

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