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
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