US and China want free trade, except for online gambling

"The United States and China are among the biggest beneficiaries of the global trading system," said Timothy Geithner, US Trade Secretary, "and share a common interest in ensuring that global trade and investment remain open and rules-based."

Part of those rules that Geithner is speaking about involve online gambling. The US is already in trouble with the European Commission. The Commission has given the US a grace period to clean up their Internet gambling laws so as to come into compliance with European Union trade agreements.

The US has yet to adhere to the warning. The next step for the EU would be to bring the case to the World Trade Organization. If the US wants to remain in good graces with the WTO, they would be smart to correct their online gambling laws.

Representative Barney Frank is one of the lawmakers who understands the importance of overturning the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006. Frank is representing millions of people in the US that want to be free to gamble online legally if they choose to do so.

China is in a similar situation as the US when it comes to online gambling laws. The government has ordered filters, so that residents cannot access Internet gambling sites. The two countries are talking a good game for free trade, but their actions are not corresponding with their words.