DATE=2/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-WTO (L-ONLY))
NUMBER=2-259493
BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Key U-S Senators warned today (Wednesday) that
President Clinton's trade agreement with China could
be threatened. The senators say the agreement has
been undermined by China's recent threats against
Taiwan, as well as signs of ambivalence from Vice
President Al Gore. V-O-A's Leta Hong Fincher reports
from Washington.
TEXT: Republican and Democratic Senate leaders are
warning that the Clinton administration may fail to
gain congressional approval of a bill that opens the
way for China's entry to the World Trade Organization.
The senators issued their warning at a hearing on a
proposed U-S trade agreement with China. Senate
Finance Committee Chairman William Roth, a Republican,
said that in light of Beijing's latest threats to
attack Taiwan, the Senate might vote to block passage
of the agreement.
/// ROTH ACT ///
The reckless threat to use force against Taiwan
over the future of cross-straits relations and
the recurring human rights violation will
necessarily affect the Senate's consideration of
this agreement.
/// END ACT ///
China has just issued a foreign policy paper
threatening to attack Taiwan if it unduly delays
negotiations on reunification with the mainland.
China considers Taiwan a renegade province and is
believed to have issued the new threat in an attempt
to influence the outcome of the upcoming Taiwanese
presidential elections.
In addition to the Chinese threats to Taiwan,
Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan warned that
Vice President Al Gore's recent remarks to labor
leaders undermine passage of the trade deal.
/// MOYNIHAN ACT ///
There was the chilling statement and inferences
by the vice president that supporters of his may
be assured that this measure would not pass in
this Congress and would await his presidency, at
which point he would re-write the agreement in
such terms that it would never be agreed to.
/// END ACT ///
The trade agreement would require China to lower
tariffs and grant much greater market access for
American goods and services. In return, the U-S would
support China's entry to the World Trade Organization.
However, in order for American businesses to reap the
benefits of the agreement, Congress must first vote to
approve permanent normal trading relations for China.
This would give China the same access to U-S markets
that almost all other countries now have.
In response to the senators' statements, U-S Trade
Representative Charlene Barshefsky said the Clinton
administration was committed to getting the trade deal
passed.
/// BARSHEFSKY ACT ///
I can only assure you of the administration's
full intent and absolute action to see that
China enters the W-T-O this year on the basis of
permanent normal trade relations.
/// END ACT ///
Ambassador Barshefsky could not say when the trade
deal would be sent to Congress for consideration, but
said the administration hoped for a vote as soon as
possible. (signed)
NEB/LHF/JP
23-Feb-2000 15:02 PM EDT (23-Feb-2000 2002 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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