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| Vietnam: US Rejection of PNTR Status Grant Is Pity |
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The US House of Representatives' rejection of a bill establishing permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) between the United States and Vietnam "is a pity, which does not correspond to and meet interests of the two peoples," a Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesman said in Hanoi Tuesday. Vietnam wants the US House of Representatives and the Senate to "soon approve the trade bill, helping boosting the relations between the two countries," spokesman Le Dung told reporters at the National Convention Center for most of events of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting Week on Nov. 12-19. The proposal gained 228 in favor, 32 short of a required two-thirds majority. Totally 161 representatives opposed the bill granting "permanent normal trade relations" (PNTR) status to Vietnam. An official in the Bush administration told Xinhua in anonymity that the government would try again later this week through normal procedures. It needs only a majority for approval, according to the official. The administration is hoping to gain approval of the measure before Bush meets later this week with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi. House passage would set the stage for an expected vote in the Senate later this week and create possibility that Bush could sign the bill when meeting with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi at the weekend. The Vietnam trade bill was supported by US business executives who are anxious to get into Asia's best-performing economy after China. With a population of 84 million, it is also the second most populous country behind Russia still outside the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO formally approved Vietnam as a fresh member last Tuesday, nearly 12 years after the Southeast Asian country began accession negotiations. Immediately after the decision by the WTO, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab called on lawmakers to quickly approve legislation normalizing trade relations with the Southeast Asian country. "The United States is very pleased by today's action in Geneva and welcomes Vietnam into the international trade community. The world will benefit from the inclusion of this rapidly-growing, dynamic economy in the rules-based trading system," said Schwab in a statement. She noted that the bill will permit US businesses, workers and consumers to benefit fully from Vietnam's accession and to build deeper and stronger bilateral trade ties going forward. However, the no passage of the bill does not affect Bush's upcoming trip slated for Nov. 17-20, because he will visit Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet. The US president will also attend the 14th APEC Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 18-19 in Hanoi. The establishment of PNTR with the United States is required for Vietnam to be granted accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). In order for Vietnam to get immediate and unconditional Most-Favored Nations status from the United States, congressional approval of PNTR for the country is necessary. (Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2006) |
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