World Trade Organization

China Confident of WTO Entry as Accord Sealed with Thailand

BEIJING, March 10 (AFP) - China confidently predicted it was close to ending its long quest for WTO membership Friday as it sealed a trade pact with Thailand and prepared for a final round of tough talks with the EU.

China Seen Selectively Scaling Back Grain Protections

The Wall Street Journal / By STEPHANIE HOO SHANGHAI -- As China presses forward with reforming its inefficient grain sector, the government is severely narrowing the scope of state grain buying, but actively buying favored grains, analysts say.

U.S. Wants Quad Members to Agree on Agenda Before New WTO Meeting Is Held

International Trade Reporter The United States will support convening another ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization only after it has reached agreement with other major industrialized countries, including the European Union, on the agenda for launching a new round of multilateral trade negotiations, the chief U.S. trade negotiator said March 7.

New WTO Round ""Necessary"": France

BANGKOK, March 10 (AFP) - A new round of multilateral trade talks is "necessary" and would benefit all parties, the French minister of state for foreign trade said here Friday. "It's necessary to launch a new round (of negotiations). It's in all our interests," said Francois Huwart, who was in the Thai capital to end a week-long, three-nation tour of Southeast Asia.

Clinton Probably Short on China Votes

By Adam Entous WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House probably does not have the votes in Congress right now to grant China permanent trading privileges in the U.S. market, a senior Clinton administration official conceded on Thursday.

China Urges Swift U.S. Passage of Trade Bill

BEIJING, March 9 (Reuters) - China urged the U.S. Congress on Thursday to grant it permanent trading privileges in the U.S. market unconditionally and said failure to do so would hurt American businesses in the Chinese market.

Congress Mulls China Trade Bill

By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - President Clinton and Congress are headed for an election-year showdown over whether the United States should give China the same permanent trade benefits it grants most other nations, with supporters seeking votes in both the House and Senate before Memorial Day.

EU""s Lamy to Go to China for WTO Entry Talks

Reuters | By Alan Wheatley, Asia Economics Correspondent KYOTO, Japan - The European Union's trade commissioner, Pascal Lamy, said on Thursday he would go to China soon to resume talks on its application to join the World Trade Organisation.

Archer Urges Cautious Approach on Foreign Sales Corps

CongressDaily

China Demands U.S. Grant Unconditional Permanent Trade Status

BEIJING, March 9 (AFP) - China Thursday demanded the United States grant unconditional normal trade status, warning that attaching conditions would harm US companies' interests in China.