Page:ECONOMIC AND TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.pdf/82

 Annex 7-A

WORKING PROCEDURES OF THE BILATERAL EVALUATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION ARRANGEMENT

Schedule of Meetings

1. Meetings of the Trade Framework Group shall be held every six months.

2. The macroeconomic meetings shall be held regularly.

3. The heads of each Party’s Bilateral Evaluation and Dispute Resolution Office shall meet on a quarterly basis.

4. The designated officials of each Party shall meet at least once a month.

5. During the first two years after this Agreement enters into force, the frequency of meetings may be increased as appropriate. Meetings may be held in person or through any means available to the Parties.

Responses to Requests for Information

Pursuant to Article 7.3, a Party shall respond within 15 working days to any requests for information from the other Party.

Dispute Resolution Timeline

1. Pursuant to Article 7.4.3, the Party Complained Against shall have 10 working days from the date of the receipt of the Appeal to carry out and complete an assessment of the Appeal.

2. Pursuant to Article 7.4.4(a):

a. The designated officials shall have 21 calendar days from the date of the receipt of the Appeal to reach a resolution.

b. If the Appeal is not resolved by the designated officials, the designated Deputy United States Trade Representative and the designated Vice Minister shall have 45 calendar days from the date of the receipt of the Appeal to reach a resolution.

c. If the Appeal is not resolved at the deputy or vice-ministerial level and the Complaining Party presents the issue to the United States Trade Representative and the designated Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, these officials shall hold a meeting within 30 calendar days from the date the Complaining Party requests such a meeting. 7-5