DATE=11/15/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=U-S - CHINA TRADE (L) NUMBER=2-256204 BYLINE=AMY BICKERS DATELINE=HONG KONG INTERNET=YES CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The top U-S trade negotiators - heading home after reaching a trade agreement with China - told reporters in Hong Kong they will press for permanent trade relations between Washington and Beijing. We have a report from Amy Bickers. TEXT: Gene Sperling, the U-S national economic advisor, said that for the Clinton administration, the next big hurdle is securing congressional approval for permanent normal trading relations with China, instead of annual findings. He said that it will be a tough struggle but he is optimistic. /// SPERLING ACT /// Ambassador Barshevsky and I have had good conversations, and feel there is a high degree of support among many members of Congress for a deal they feel is very strong, stronger even that what existed in April. And we are planning on working all out and pass through Congress permanent normal trading relations with China. We gave a commitment we would work very hard on this, it is a top priority of the administration and will work successfully to get this through Congress. /// END ACT /// Mr. Sperling said that Monday's bilateral trade deal, a vital step for China's W-T-O membership, would create jobs in American export industries, speed Chinese economic reform, and strengthen the global economy. U-S Trade Representative Charlene Barshevsky said the deal could not have happened without the strong backing of President Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who had had a series of conversations leading up to the negotiations in Beijing. /// BARSHEVSKY ACT /// There are many aspects come into play to create a final package. Certainly I think the most important single factor was the direct involvement of the President of the United States and President Jiang. Had they not wished for this agreement to conclude, there would have been no possible means for concluding it. And the personal involvement of our president was critical, not only in respect of the substance of what was negotiated, but in respect of the tone and the affirmative desire to conclude a commercially strong agreement /// END ACT /// Ms. Barshevsky said that securing the deal required both sides to respect each other's politically sensitive trade sectors, and she cited automobiles as a delicate area for both nations. She said China won a longer phase-out period for tariffs in this area, while Washington won steeper tariff cuts in earlier years. In her words, there were win-win scenarios in many sectors. (Signed) NEB/AB/TVM/gm 15-Nov-1999 21:49 PM EDT (16-Nov-1999 0249 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
