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)
