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Barshefsky Vows to Push Approval of PNTR for China by Senate
US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky Thursday vowed to push the passage of the bill on permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China by the Senate.
In an exclusive interview, Barshefsky said in Washington the Clinton administration would continue its strong efforts until the bill is passed by the Senate and finally becomes law upon signature by the president.
"We have now turned our attention to the Senate," she said, adding that she and other administration officials would meet with the Senate leadership this week to discuss how to move the bill forward.
The US House of Representatives Wednesday approved the bill by a vote of 237-197.
The Senate is expected to vote on the bill early next month. Leadership aides disclosed on Thursday that Senate leaders will try to schedule a floor vote on the bill by the second week of June.
Barshefsky said both the United States and China should take all possible actions to make the bilateral relationship "more predictable and more stable."
She said although the US and China disagree with each other in many areas, the two countries have worked together in finding common ground on many issues. "Certainly China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and PNTR is one of such issues," she said.
She urged both countries to better educate the public and enhance understanding between each other to make the bilateral relationship "positive" and "sustainable."
The trade representative also spoke highly of the progress China has made in the protection of intellectual property rights.
"China has become much more sophisticated in its understanding of the importance of intellectual property rights protection," she said, "and this is itself a very important step forward."
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