Dec. 13 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said China and the U.S. agree they must fight protectionism in their own countries, describing the third round of economic talks between the two nations as ``constructive.''

``Both the U.S. and China are major contributors to global growth; as such we benefit from the other's success,'' Paulson said in his closing statement at the Strategic Economic Dialogue meetings outside Beijing. ``We also both recognize the need to fight economic nationalism and protectionism in our two nations.''

China's exports of unsafe products and its soaring trade surplus have fueled tension between the two countries and calls by U.S. lawmakers for legislation to punish the Asian nation. Paulson indicated yesterday that China is unlikely to move quickly to allow faster gains in the yuan that would narrow the trade gap.

To contact the reporters on this story: John Brinsley in Beijing at jbrinsley@bloomberg.net; Allen Cheng in Beijing at acheng13@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 12, 2007 23:00 EST