US pact drives Chinese WTO entry

24 February 1999

US pact drives Chinese WTO entry

THE US and China are clubbing together to ensure Beijings entry into the World Trade Organisation.

That is the view which emerged after a meeting between Lawrence Summers, US deputy treasury secretary, and Zhu Rongji, Chinese premier.

The main sticking points in talks have been Chinas reluctance to open some of its key markets, including farming, up to competition.

Another rub is Beijings assertion that it is admitted on the less rigorous terms applied to developing countries.

• USA seeks deal on Chinas WTO entry, FWi, yesterday (22 February, 1999)
• China pressed to reform farm trade, FWi, 15 February, 1999
• Chinas bid to join WTO under review, FWi, 20 July, 1998
• Open up your markets, Clinton to tell Chinese, FWi, 10 June, 1998
• Financial Times 24/02/99 page 5