To: Ram Seetharaman who wrote (8503 ) 9/20/2000 3:21:31 PM From: DJBEINO Respond to of 9582 Barshefsky:China, Taiwan On Track To Join WTO By Year End WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--China and Taiwan could wrap up all the steps necessary to join the World Trade Organization by the end of the year, U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky said Tuesday. "We are well positioned to conclude all negations and have the general body to vote on China and Taiwan's WTO accession by the end of the year," Barshefsky told reporters following the Senate's 83 to 15 vote approving permanent normal trade status for China. Barshefsky welcomed the vote, passage of which marks the successful conclusion of Clinton administration efforts on its top legislative priority during this session of Congress. Working groups hammering out the details of China's entry will continue through Sept. 28, and China has said it would agree to lengthy sessions in October and November, Barshefsky said. Negotiations have been contentious at times, with some accusing China of backing away from its agreements, and wrangling over whether Taiwan should enter the WTO as a territory of China. Barshefsky said she is confident China won't back away from its commitments. If they do, "the accession talks simply won't move forward," she said, adding that both the U.S. and the WTO have devised plans for stepped up monitoring of China's performance. Still, she admitted that trade conflicts with China are practically inevitable. "The larger the trade relationship, the greater the number of conflicts," Barshefsky said. China has yet to reach bilateral trade agreements with Switzerland and Mexico, but Barshefksy said she doesn't expect those talks to be a barrier to China's WTO entry.