Media release

Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile

Wednesday, 20 September 2000

Australia welcomes US vote on China trade relations

Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today welcomed the US Senate's overwhelming endorsement of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China. The Senate voted by a margin of 83-15 to approve PNTR.

"This vote clears away one of the last remaining hurdles for China's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO)," Mr Vaile said.

"Australia has been a strong supporter of China's entry into the WTO as it will open up significant new trade opportunities for Australian exporters.

"The working party finalising China's accession is currently meeting in Geneva. I hope agreement on remaining issues can be reached over the coming weeks, allowing China's accession at the end of 2000 or early next year."

Mr Vaile also called on the United States not to squander the large margin in the US Senate vote and to renew efforts for global trade reform.

"The passage of PNTR through the Congress has been a key American trade objective this year. The United States should now put all its energies into working with Australia and other trading partners towards a new WTO round of trade negotiations as soon as possible," Mr Vaile said.

Contact: John Kunkel 0413 004 314

Local Date: Thursday, 20-Nov-2008 23:47:48 EST