Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 04/2013

A business perspective on a China - US bilateral investment treaty

Shaun E. Donnelly

March 2013

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

Abstract

While welcoming the earlier Perspective (No. 85, December 17, 2012) on the ongoing US-China BIT negotiations, an alternative, business-oriented approach should be taken. It is more important to secure a high-standard agreement, with strong investor protections and dispute settlement provisions, than to seek a quick agreement by splitting the difference on key issues. The 2012 US Model BIT provides a good template for a final agreement