Protectionist tariffs hamper U.S. growth: former U.S. trade representative

BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States imposed protectionist tariffs that hampered growth, failed to invest in domestic infrastructure or its people, said Charlene Barshefsky, former United States Trade Representative.

Barshefsky made the remarks Thursday at the New Economy Forum held in Beijing, calling for a new framework for managing East-West relations.

"Two decades of careful management of the relations between China and the West have run its course. Today's complexity will require a more credible, much more realistic and much more effective framework for East-West relations," she said.