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)
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Source: Voice of America
.