US President Bill Clinton pledged to try everything to give China permanent trading status on January 29. He made this remark at the 30th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos Switzerland.

Clinton said, "I think it would be a mistake of monumental proportion for the United States not to support China's entry into the WTO (World Trade Organization)."

"So I believe that having them in the WTO will not only (increase) the economic benefits for the United States and other countries I mentioned, but will increase the likelihood of positive change in China and, therefore, stability throughout Asia, " the U.S. president said.

"We're going to try everything we can to get China permanent trading status so we can support their entering the WTO. And I think that we'll do it," he said. "But it's going to be a big fight, and you can watch it with interest, and I hope with support."