Wilbur Ross is worried about Chinese robots – China’s latest business and technology news

U.S. commerce secretary Wilbur Ross spoke to journalists in Hong Kong after a visit to Beijing where he met Premier Li Keqiang 李克强 and other senior officials to discuss trade issues.

• The New York Times reports (paywall) that Ross “raised concerns about the imbalance of trade and investment relations,” and “the need to protect intellectual property and lower tariffs.” Ross also called China “‘one of the most protectionist’ countries in the world.”
• The Financial Times said (paywall) that Ross “attacked China’s fast-growing robotics industry, warning that big subsidies risk compounding the overcapacity caused by Chinese state support for traditional industries such as steel.”

No deal of any kind was reached during Ross’s visit. He told reporters: “I don’t want to give the impression that we made any concessions on the trip. We did not, nor did the Chinese side.”

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