The United States Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham), together with the US Chamber in Washington and other interested groups, have signed a letter to US President Barack Obama calling for the US Congress to amend a government spending bill which blocks funding for scientific safety testing on cooked poultry products imported from China.

Official Chinese sources say AmCham is requesting "an amendment to the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 to remove this provision, with the objective of utilizing sound scientific methods for food safety assessment and remaining true to the spirit of fair trade".

"If the US cannot uphold the basic rules of international trade, our partners may take similar actions against US exports," continued the statement, referring to the 'tit-for-tat' punitive action that commonly accompanies international trade disputes.