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September 7, 1999
The Honorable Charlene Barshefsky
United States Trade Representative
Office of the USTR
Winder Building
600 17th Street, N.W.
Room 201
Washington, DC 20506
Dear Ambassador Barshefsky:
The upcoming meeting between President Clinton and Chinese President
Jiang Zemin at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in New
Zealand will be a critical opportunity for the United States and China
to resolve outstanding issues related to China's accession to the World
Trade Organization (WTO). As you know, China's entry into the WTO on
strong commercial terms is a longstanding goal of the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce.
The U.S. Chamber stands ready to support an agreement that builds upon
the reported WTO offer made during Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to
the United States last April. The American business community is eager
to seize the new commercial opportunities that will result from China's
more open markets and to see China adhere to internationally accepted
rules of free and fair trade.
Given the narrow window of opportunity this fall to gain support on
Capitol Hill for China's accession, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
strongly encourages you to move forward swiftly with these talks. The
U.S. Chamber is prepared to ensure that Congress fully understands the
tremendous potential benefits of having China in the WTO and to secure
Congressional support for permanent normal trade relations with China
once a WTO deal is finalized.
Sincerely,
Tom Donohue
cc: John Podesta
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