World Trade Organization

China Opposed to Linking Human Rights to Passage of PNTR

Agence France Presse BEIJING, May 11 (AFP) - China said Thursday it opposed any plans by the United States to set up a group to monitor human rights as a condition to granting permanent normal trade relations. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said such a watchdog body constituted interference in China's internal affairs.

China: Constructive Partner or Emerging Threat?

by Ted Galen Carpenter and James A. Dorn Ted Galen Carpenter and James A. Dorn are scholars at the Cato Institute and coeditors of the forthcoming book China's Future: Constructive Partner or Emerging Threat?

Bipartisan Proposal Aims for China Trade Compromise

LA Times / By NICK ANDERSON, Times Staff Writer WASHINGTON--Putting a stamp of bipartisanship on efforts to find compromise on China trade, a key House Republican versed in Asian affairs and a Democratic trade expert on Tuesday unveiled a joint proposal to answer concerns about human rights and other issues raised by a controversial trade normalization bill.

U.S. Envoy Optimistic Congress Will Pass China PNTR

By Bill Savadove SHANGHAI (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador Joseph Prueher said on Wednesday he was hopeful the U.S. Congress would approve permanent normal trade relations for China but said the vote would be close.

Republicans May Back China Watchdog Plan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top congressional Republicans said on Wednesday they were likely to accept legislation to monitor human rights in China, boosting prospects for passage of President Clinton's landmark trade pact with Beijing. "I prefer a clean bill but the reality is we need some more votes," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer, Texas Republican, told reporters.

Monitoring China

San Jose Mercury News / EDITORIAL The opinion of the Mercury News

Imports Are Good for You

The Washington Post / By Sebastian Mallaby

Brazil Silent on Canada""s WTO Sanctions Threat

BRASILIA, May 9 (Reuters) - Brazil's government declined immediate comment Tuesday over Canada's threat to impose trade restrictions on Brazilian imports worth up to C$4.9 billion ($3.3 billion) over seven years in a heated dispute on subsidies to jet makers. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said no comment would be made until senior officials had been briefed on the decision.

Peruvian to Lead WTO""s Agricultural Negotiations

By Gustavo Capdevila GENEVA, May 8 (IPS) - The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was finally able to overcome a difference of opinion that got in the way of the agricultural committee's normal operations: it named Peruvian negotiator Jorge Voto-Bernales president of this strategic negotiating arena.

WTO""s Mike Moore Calls on Congress to Welcome China into World Trading Order

Trade Compass: Daily Brief / Vol. 48, Issue 6 Budapest - The Director General of the World Trade Organization, Mike Moore, on May 5 called on the United States Congress to vote for permanent trade relations with China. He said this would give American business the benefits of a more open China and better access to an economy of 1.3 billion consumers.