Iraq resumes negotiations to join WTO after nearly 16 years

Iraqi Minister of Trade Atheer al-Ghurairi announced on Monday the resumption of negotiations for Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) after nearly 16 years.

The Iraqi negotiating team has started preparatory meetings at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, according to a statement by the ministry.

The first preparatory meeting took place with the participation of negotiators representing the Iraqi ministries and Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, to discuss the crucial files and documents that Iraq submitted in the previous stage.

The working group will review the files and documents concerning Iraq's accession to WTO during its third meeting.

Iraq resumes negotiations to join WTO after nearly 16 years

Iraq resumes negotiations to join WTO after nearly 16 years

Iraq resumes negotiations to join WTO after nearly 16 years

Iraq resumes negotiations to join WTO after nearly 16 years

Iraq resumes negotiations to join WTO after nearly 16 years

Chicago youth said the United States should not view China as its No.1 enemy and the two countries should have more technological exchanges.

The youth expressed themselves in random street interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

They said there are competitions between China and the U.S., but China is doing a great job of building their cities.

"China is doing a good job with how it's handling the U.S. given the volatility of the government here," said a local resident.

"We're definitely in competition economically speaking," said another interviewee.

"I don't think there's necessarily a reason why they have to then be enemy number one in that sense. They're doing a great job kind of building up their cities. I think we have a lot to learn from them," said still another interviewee.

In terms of China's technological advancement, the interviewees said China's automobile industry is developing at a rapid pace and they are looking forward to seeing more Chinese cars in the U.S. and more technological exchanges between two sides.

"Chinese vehicles, I would love to see them in the U.S. I think they're miles ahead in terms of production and cost and especially electronic vehicles," said an interviewee.

"Probably some more Chinese cars here. Really cheap, really great cars from what I hear and what I saw when I was there," said another interviewee.

"I feel like there's a lot to learn like technology-wise. I feel like the U.S. kind of holds itself back," said still another interviewee.

Random street interviews catch Chicago youth's impression on China